Viking Descendants Prepare For Battle With Police

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27642, 26 April 1955, Page 13

Viking Descendants Prepare For Battle With Police

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 11 p.m.) THORSHAVN (Faroe Islands), April 25. National Day celebrations are expected to postpone any action today by 130 armed Danish policemen whose ship lies at anchor close to the village of Klaksvik , where they have orders to subdue the population. The villagers, who refuse to give up their local official doctor, tore to shreds the clothes of his government-appointed successor and drove him out, along with a judge and officials who came with him. Now the villagers await the arrival of the riot police with a derelict trawler and other obstructions blocking the entrance to their harbour. Sentinels are also watching from the 1500-foot mountains round Klaksvik.

Twenty-five fishing boats are racing for Klaksvik, their home port, to reinforce resistance.

Women and children have been evacuated to nearby islands. Communications with the rest of the island have been cut and dynamite is reported missing from a local quarry. The police who are bringing dogs and a Black Maria with them reached Thorshavn yesterday in their motorvessel Parkeston, but later the ship sailed for safer anchorage because of stormy weather. Dr. Olaf Halvorsen was dismissed as Klaksvik’s local doctor in April, 1953, because of differences with the Danish Medical Association. He has been sheltered by the population since then.

The tough fisherfolk of Klaksvik who still cling to the customs of their Viking ancestors posted sentinels on the high ground to watch for the Gov-

ernment steamer. They filled the harbour with small craft, strung tow ropes across, and have a trawler ready to scuttle to prevent the steamer docking.

Fire engines and pumps are waiting on the quayside to be used if the steamer succeeds in getting alongside. The leader of the Faroes Independence Party, Mr Eroendur Pattursen, sard yesterday “All adult Faroese have sporting guns and rifles.”

He did not doubt that they would use them, he said.