Norwegian Statement On Position

Northern Advocate, 20 February 1940, Page 5

Norwegian Statement On Position

(Received 1.30 p.m.) OSLO. February 19. Profesor Koht, Norwegian Foreign Minister, in a statement to Parliament, said the Altmarck had not called at any Norwegian port. A Norwegian torpedo boat stopped her outside Trondheim Fiord on Wednesday last, and the Altmarck s captain awaited formal visitation, although. being a State vessel, it was not bound to submit to such procedure. (This reference to a State vessel presumably means that the Altmarck was the property of the German Government). The captain of the torpedo boat satisfied himself that the Altmarck was what it purported to be. He left the ship after a perusal of the papers. The Altmarck’s captain informed the captain of the torpedo boat that die Altmarck had anti-aircraft guns, and the ship's papers also stated this. Inspection Refused. As Bergen naval officers did not think that everything was properly clear, another Norwegian warship met the Altmarck northward of Bergen. The Altmarck then refused inspection "with full rights.” Professor Koht explained that the Altmarck’s captain did not use his wireless after he was warned net to send messages. “The British knew beforehand what we did not know—that there were many prisoners aboard.” After stating that the British attack on the Altmarck gravely concerned Norway, the Minister referred to the German protest and emphasised the impossibility of two small torpedo boats opposing a strong British force. Sir Cecil Dormer, British Minister at Oslo, had tried to defend the British action, saying that the Altmarck used her wireless and had prisoners aboard, also that Norway had allowed U-boats to operate in Norwegian waters for the sinking of British merchantmen. Prisoners Through Neutral Zone. Professor Koht commented that there was no .international rule forbidding the transport of prisoners through a neutral area, in so far as navigation itself was not illegal. He denied the British allegations that Britishers and others had been torpedoed in Norwegian waters and said that Lord Halifax believed the Altmarck visited Bergen. This was untrue. Commenting on Lord Halifax s statement that the technical infringement of Norwegian territoriality was not comparable with the fact that thei e were hundreds of prisoners aboard the Altmarck under conditions unfit for a dog, Professor Koht declared: “It appears that Britain is of the opinion that she can ignore ordinary international law as well as a small State whose only aim is to maintain (neutrality. May Take Case to League. “Norway cannot base her rights on power, but we believed the big Powers. as a matter of honour, would respect the rights of small as well as big States “We may have to bring the case before the League or some other tribunal,” he added. The Minister concluded: “We are certain that public opinion everywhere will judge the infringement of neutrality we have endured.” M. Hambro, amid the general applause of Parliament, said. The people have backed the Government.