SATISFACTION AT RELEASE OF SEAMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 44, 21 February 1940, Page 7

SATISFACTION AT RELEASE OF SEAMEN.

"GALLANT AFFAIR." Mr. Chamberlain On Actions Of Norway. DIFFICULT TO UNDEBSTAND. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received noon.) LOXDOX, February 20. In the House of Commons, in a statement on the Altmarck incident, Mr. Chamberlain said: "This admirably conducted operation" resulted in the rescue of 299 officers and men belonging to a number of British merchantmen which the Graf Spee sank. The prisoners had been closely confined on the German naval supply ship Altmarck for periods of over three months.

"The Government is at present awaiting full reports from the naval officers concerned in this most gallant affair," Mr. Chamberlain went on, "but I am sure the House will join with the Government in the satisfaction it feels at the release of the officers and crews after their long ordeal, and that members will desire to congratulate the Xavy most heartily upon this notable addition to its annals.

"Apart from the original protest handed to Viscount Halifax on Saturday, we have not received an official communication from Norway. I have seen Professor Koht's full statement in the Press, and I desire to make certain comment immediately. No Examination Conducted. "I am bound to say that this account makes Norway's action—or, rather, inaction—even more difficult to understand than I had previously supposed. We imagined the Norwegian authorities had conducted some examination of the Altinarck. Our complaint was that this examination had been so perfunctory that it did not reveal the presence of British prisoners. However, it now appears they did not conduct any examination.

"Even the fact that the Norwegian authorities discovered that the Altinarck had used her wireless in Norwegian territorial waters, thus violating Norwegian regulations, did not lead Hie Norwegian authorities to take action beyond making a complaint and accept'* ing an apology, based on the statement of the Altmarck's captain that he was not acquainted with the Norwegian prohibition.

"On not one, but three or four occasions, the Norwegian authorities failed to carry out a proper investigation of the case. It was not until after their refusals that His Majesty's ships took action, and it is plain that if they had not done so the Altmarck would have been allowed to complete her voyage without let or hindrance, and without any inquiry into the circumstances. Indifference of Authorities. "I find it difficult to resist the conclusion," said the Prime Minister, "that the Norwegian authorities displayed complete indifference regarding the "use to which the German fleet might put Norwegian territorial waters. Even if such indifference were due to German pressure, nevertheless it would be inconsistent with the active and impartial exercise of the duty of a neutral towards ourselves as belligerents. "Norway's doctrine would legalise German warships' abuse of neutral waters and create a position which Britain could in no circumstances accept." Loud cheers punctuated Mr. Chamberlain's speech. Mr. A. V. Alexander. First Lord of the Admiralty in the Labour Government, said the Opposition wm pleased with Mr. Chamberlain's statement, and desired to associate itself with the satisfaction felt at the Navy's rescue of 300 men from durance vile. In the House of Lords. Earl Stanhope made a statement similar to Mr. Cham* berlain's.