NAZI THREATS TO SWEDEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 88, 13 April 1940, Page 9

NAZI THREATS TO SWEDEN

Fears For The Week-end RAID ANXIETY Holland Also Expects Vital Developments « DIPLOMATS ACTIVE

I United Press Association.—Copyright.— Rec. noon.) LONDON, April 12. An intensification of German warnings to Sweden and the balkans against breaches of neutrality coincides with intense diplomatic activity in Londn and Paris, and the expectation in Holland of the most critical week-end since the outbreak of war. Germans complain that the Swedish radio and Press are acting in an intolerable manner and that "it is high time that Sweden understands that a rapid and unhampered occupation of Norway 13 in the interests of Sweden." A German spokesman said: "As long as her neutrality is not endangered, Germany will not occupy bases in Sweden, but if King Haakon and his Cabinet escaped to Sweden and ruled there Sweden would have to take the consequences." The British and French Consulates at Gothenburg and Malmo are preparing for the evacuation of nationals. The Swedes are vigorously building air raid shelters and all towns are being blacked out. from M i? istCr of M . Hansson, broadcasting from Motala, according to a British official wireless message, said: We have tried to be neutral from the beginning and will continue so. but we are our own judges in the matter of neutrality. * "Demands Will Be Refused." has compie,c » After appealing for unity, the Premier said, "If war comes our country will fight to preserve our liberty." Swedish circles in London have no knowledge of a German demand for the passage of troops through the country. Tension continues in Belgium and Holland. Dutch defences meani»rJT" PlaCCd in . their L third of alarm preparedness bJJJ I • CVery ma l 13 at his post ' and engineers are waiting '° r ' Ua " T '°°" <°n 8 TTie unexplained absence of all four Nationalist Socialist SSed'a ptsTticti e s^ ond Chamber ° f tHe ° Utch Par '* amen t has avoidtsZ%^