NORWAY’S ATTITUDE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 44, 22 February 1940, Page 5

NORWAY’S ATTITUDE

STATEMENT BY MR. CHAMBERLAIN INDIFFERENCE TO GERMAN VIOLATION BRITAIN CANNOT PERMIT SUCH A SITUATION [ British Official Wireless. ] Received Feb. 2.1, 6.5 p.m. RUGBY, Feb. 20. The Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, m the House of Commons, revealed that 299 otiicers and men were rescued from the German naval auxiliary Altmarck. They had been closely confined for periods of up to more than three months. Mr. Chamberlain said he felt bund to say that the account of the Norwegian Foreign Minister, Dr. H. Koht, made the action, or rather inaction, of Norway even more difficult to understand than be had previously supposed. "We had imagined that the Norwegian authorities conducted some examination of the Altmarck and our complaint was that this examination had been so perfunctory that it did not reveal the presence or British prisoners on board. It now appears, however, that the Norwegian authorities displayed complete indifference as to the use which might be made of their territorial waters by the German fleet." Mr. Chamberlain's .statement was cheered on all sides of the House. Britain, he continued, had received no official communication, apart from the original protest handed to Lord Halifax on Saturday, but. all would probably have read the Press accounts showing Dr. Koht's statement. No Inquiry Alter briefly reviewing the incident leading to the rescue of the British prisoners as described in Dr. Koht's statement, Mr. Chamberlain said it would seem "that on not one occasion, but on three or four, the Norwegian authorities failed to carry out a proper investigation of the case, ft was not until after their refusals that the British ships look action against the Altmarck and it is plain that if they had not done so the ship would have been allowed to finish her voyage to Germany without let or hindrance and without any inquiry into the circumstances. •‘According to the views expressed by Dr. Koht, Norway sees no objection to the use of Norwegian territorial waters for hundreds of miles by a German warship to escape capture on the high seas." Awaiting Ketuts Mr. Chamberlain added that the Government was awaiting full reports from the naval otiicers concerned in the Altmarck incident, but he was sure the House would join with the Government in the satisfaction they felt at (he release of the officers and crews after their long ordeal and that members would desire to congratulate the Navy most heartily upon this notable addition to its annals. Referring to Norway's attitude, he continued that even the fact that the Norwegian authorities discovered the Altmarck had used her wireless in Norwegian territorial waters, plus violating Norwegian regulations, did not lead the Norwegian authorities to take action beyond making a complaint and accepting an apology based on a statement, by the Alt march’s captain that he was net acquainted with the Norwegian prohibition. Mr. Chamberlain continued that even if Norway’s indifference were caused by Germany’s pressure it nevertheless would be inconsistent with an active and impartial exercise of the duty of a neutral toward Britain as a belligerent. Norway’s doctrine would legalise German warships’ abuse of neutral waters and create a position which Britain could, under no circumstances, accept. Loud cheers punctuated the speech. Mr. A. V. Alexander said the Opposition was pleased at Mr. Chamberlain's statement and desired to associate itself with his satisfaction at the Navy's rescue of 300 men from durance vile. In the House of Lords Lord Stanhope issued a statement similar to Mr. Chamberlain's. French Declaration Discussion on the Altmarck afta.ii centres on Mr. Chamberlain's statement. and the French Government spokesman’s flat declaration that the British and Fiench Navies will take all measures to prevent the use of Norwegian walers for belligerent purposes. " He added that a halt must be put to Germany's acts of war in Norwegian waters, which German merchantmen were using to avoid the British and French contraband control. He declined to indicate the nature of the Allies’ plans. Meanwhile, the Stavanger Aftonbladet attacks the Norwegian Government for allowing German ships tc pass through Norwegian waters. "Wartime experience should have taught our leaders that the Norwegian regulations governing the passage of belligerent vessels is ripe for revision." it says. STATE-OWNED SHIP DR. KOHT’S REPLY TO MR. CHAMBERLAIN. Received Feb. 21. 7.35 p.m. OSLO. Feb. 20. Commenting on Mr. Chamberlain’s speech. Dr. Koht said that Norway had revised her neutrality views in conformity with the British conception expressed last year. The Altmarck was a State-owned vessel anc could not be regarded as a commercial ship or a warship. It was privileged to refuse inspection. Dr. Kohl added that the British experts in international law maintained that e ship's right of passage in neutra waters was not affected if there were prisoners aboard and the State was bound to step in only when the prison ers were put ashore.