The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun. TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1940. HELPING NORWAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 90, 16 April 1940, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun.

TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1940. HELPING NORWAY.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the tprong that veeds resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that tce can do.

When Poland appeared likely to j be threatened by the Nazis, Britain and France pledged themselves, in the event of Nazi aggressive action, to go to her assistance. The Nazis launched the invasion, and immediately found themselves at war with Britain and France. But Poland could not be helped, and when her own resistance had been crushed the Nazis began the systematic enslavement of her people. The fate of the Polish people, and the fact that Britain and France did not (because they could not) lift a hand to save her, made a deep impression on all other nations, particularly small neutrals, which in consequence have been more susceptible to Nazi methods of intimidation. It made an impression also on British people, who felt humiliated by the apparent impotence of their Government to honour its pledge in an immediately effective way. They recalled that Czechoslovakia, too, had been led to expect help from Britain and France. These happenings are not mentioned now to revive old controversies, but in order that * to-day's news may be pondered in perspective. Another small eountry, Norway, has been invaded. Britain and France were not pledged to help her. Nevertheless, prompted by considerations of honour as Avell as of strategy, they promised, as soon as her need became known, to help her at once. And to-day t-hey have begun to fulfil their promise. British troops are in Norway. That fact will increase Britain's mana throughout the world.

The location and scope of the British action are not officially announced, but it may be assumed that the forces landed "at several points" are intended first to wrest control of Norway's northern ports from the Nazis. Narvik has already been re-taken. Afterwards, it may be intended to advance into South Norway, where the Germans are in the greatest strength. It would be foolish to under-estimate the difficulties and dangers of the campaign. If the Nazi preparations for the seizure of Norway by subterfuge and conspiracy were so cleverly organised and co-ordinated as the American journalist, Mr. Leland Stowe, asserts, then we may take it for granted that the German Army's preparations for its part of the invasion were equally thorough. Thanks to the Royal Navy, the Germans' sea communications are being harassed, but they have not yet been cut. Eventually, if the Norwegians hold out —and it seems that they are recovering from the pardonable state of bewilderment into which they were plunged by the machinations of the Nazis and the treason of some of their own leaders —the German invading force will be defeated. But its defeat may require a hard and costly campaign, which may also be a long campaign. News of the progress of the British forces will be awaited with thu keenest interest by all the world.