MINISTER EXPLAINS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21043, 20 February 1940, Page 6

MINISTER EXPLAINS

SEARCH OF THE ALTMARCH REFUSAL OF INSPECTION THE CASE FOR NORWAY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 20, 3.15 p.m.) OSLO, Feb. 19 M. Koht, Foreign Minister, in a statement to Parliament, said: “ The Altmarck did not call at any Norwegian port. A Norwegian tor-pedo-boat stopped her outside Trondheim Fiord on February 14. The Altmarck’s captain awaited a formal visitation, although the Altmarck, being a State vessel, was not bound to submit to such procedure. (Mr Koht’s 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 and he left the ship after the perusal of the papers. The Altmarck’s captain informed the captain of the torpedoboat that the Altmarck had antiaircraft guns. The ship’s papers made a similar statement. “ As the Bergen naval men did not think that everything was clear another Norwegian warship met the Altmarck northward of Bergen. The Altmarck then refused inspection, ‘with full rights?’ British Knew Beforehand Mr Koht explained that the Altmarck’s captain did not use the wireless after being warned not to send messages. “ The British knew beforehand what we did not know—that many prisoners were aboard,” he continued. After stating that the British attack on the Altmarck gravely concerned Norway, Mr Koht referred to the German protest and emphasised the impossibility of two small torpedoboats opposing a strong British force. Sir R. Domer, British Minister at Oslo, tried to defend the British action, saying that the Altmarck used the wireless, and had prisoners aboard, also that Norway allowed Üboats to operate in Norwegian waters, sinking British merchantmen. Mr Koht commented that there was no international rule forbidding the transport of prisoners through a neutral area insofar as the navigation itself was not illegal. Koht concluded: 14 We are cer—tain that public opinion everywhere will judge it an infringement of neutrality that we have endured.” Backing for Government M. Habro, amid general applause, said Parliament and people backed the Government. The Altmarcjc continues to dominate the Norwegian and other neutral press.

Holland has little sympathy for Norway, but condemns the British action as a breach of neutral rights.