NORDIC CONFERENCE

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1939, Page 7

NORDIC CONFERENCE

FOUR RULERS BROADCAST ARDENT HOPE FOR PEACE [BY CABLE —-PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.] (Recd. October 20, noon.) STOCKHOLM, October 19. The Nordic Conference has ended, and the delegates have dispersed. So far, no statement has been issued. The four rulers broadcast from the Castle of the Kings, Sweden. They stressed the importance of Nordic solidarity, and expressed the ardent hope that the Northern States would be able to contribute to the re-estab-lishment of peace. The King of Denmark struck a note of hopefulness. Helped by the loyal co-operation of the Northerners, the King of Norway hoped that Scandinavian co-operation and friendship would be a model for the world. M. Kalilo said that Finland was determined to defend her independence, to which cause the Scandinavian countries’ support had taken expression in action.

DECLARATION OF NEUTRALITY (Recd. Oct. 20, 1.30 p.m.). STOCKHOLM, October 19. The Nordic conference again declared neutrality in the present war, and declared in favour Of the peace efforts of the Oslo Powers. It also affirmed continuance and readiness to render, any service of conciliation. The conference declared that’ the Nordic Powers would maintain their traditional trade relations with all sides, and added that Denmark, Iceland. Finland, Norway and Sweden would follow the same principles as those operating during the Great War. No reference was made to Finland’s position regarding Russia.