P.M. Surprised At Norway’s Attitude

Northern Advocate, 21 February 1940, Page 5

P.M. Surprised At Norway’s Attitude

(Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON. February 20. JN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, IN A STATEMENT ON THE ALTMARCK INCIDENT, MR CHAMBELAIN SAID: “THIS ADMIRABLY CONDUCTED OPERATION RESULTED IN THE RESCUE OF 299 OFFICERS AND MEN BELONGING TO A NUMBER OF BRITISH MERCHANTMEN WHICH THE GRAF SPEE SANK. “The prisoners had been closely confined on the German naval supply ship Altmarck for periods of over three months.’'

■ “The Government is at present awaiting lull reports from the naval officers concerned in this most gallant affair,” Mr Chamberlain went on, "but I am sure the House will join with the Government in tffe satisfaction it feels at tne release of the officers and crews after their long ordeal, .and that members will desire to congratulate the Navy most heartily upon tins notable addition to its annals.

"Apart from the original protest handed to Viscount Halifax on Saturday, we have not received an official communication from Norway. I have seen Professor Kohl's full statement in the Press, and I desire to make certain comment immediately. “I am bound to say that this account makes Norway’s action—or rather, inaction—even more cliffieult to understand than 3 previously supposed. No Examination. “We imagined the Norwegian authorities hud conducted some examination of the Altmarck. Our complaint was that this examination had been so perfunctory that it did not reveal the presence of British prisoners. “However, it now appears they did not conduct .any examination. "Even the fact that the Norwegian authorities discovered that the Altmarck had used her wireless in Norwegian territorial waters, thus violating Norwegian regulations, did not lead the Norwegian authorities to take action beyond making a complaint and accepting an apology, based on the statement of the Altmarck's captain that he was not acquainted with Ihc Norwegian prohibition. “On not one, but three or four occasions, the Norwegian authorities failed to carry out a proper investigation of the case. “It was not until after their refusal that His Majesty’s ship tffok action, and it is plain that if they iiad not done so the Altmarck would have been allowed to complete her voyage without let or hindrance, and without inquiry into the circumstances. “I find it difficult to resist the conclusion,” said Mr Chamberlain, “that the Norwegian authorities displayed complete indifference regarding the use to which the German fleet might put Norwegian territorial waters, even if such Indifference was due to German pressure. Nevertheless, it would be inconsistent with the active and impartial exercise of the duty of a neutral towards ourselves as belligerents. “Norway’s doctrine would legalise German warships' abuse of neutral waters and create a position which Britain could in no circumstances accept.” Loud cheers punctuated Mr Chamberlain’s speech. Labour Pleased. Mr A. V. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty in the Labour Government, said the Opposition was pleased with Mr Chamberlain’s statement, and desired to associate itself with the satisfaction felt at the Navy’s rescue of 300 men from durance vile. In the House of Lords Earl Stanhope made a similar statement to that of Mr Chamberlain's.