EAST GREENLAND

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1931, Page 9

EAST GREENLAND

OCCUPATION BY NORWAY.

DENMARK ENTERS PROTEST.

Oslo, July 14.

King Haakon has signed a formal declaration announcing Norway’s occupation of East Greenland, in connection with which the negotiations between Denmark and Norway have been broken off. , The Danish Cabinet has telegraphed from Copenhagen a complaint to the Hague International Court, asking for a declaration that Norway’s occupation of Greenland is void, and a violation of Denmark’s sovereign rights.. ■ In view of Norway having, in May, given a national survey party police rights in East. Greenland—which had •previously been regarded as neutral territory —Denmark has decided to give similar rights to the Lange Kock expedition, which is now proceeding toward Greenland. . Norway’s action has angered Denmark, and is regarded as an attempt to secure a stronger position when the League of Nations finally considers the claims of the two nations.

The Danes argue that other Powers recognise Danish sovereignty in East Greenland. Danish scientists, they claim, explored and mapped the coast, and Denmark has undertaken the protection of the Eskimos. The announcement of occupation front Oslo has been received with mixed feelings. 1 The Government statements set out that the annexation has merely been undertaken to create a formal basis before reference to the Hague, and hunters have been ordered to observe strictly the existing Greenland agreement between Norway and Denmark.