Evening star., 1940-04-06
Norway Fears
War if Allies
Stop Ore Ships
Nuzi Retaliation
Seen; Koht Restutes
Neutral Position
BY the Associated Press.

OSLO, April 6.-Norway will "at
once be at war" in defense of her
neutrality if free shipping in Nor
wegian waters is interfered with to
the advantage of one of the bel
ligerent major powers, Foreign Min
lister Haldvan Koht told the Nor
wegian Storting (ParliamenD today.
The Foreign Minister made this
firm statement of Norways neutral
position in discussing Norway's ship
ping problems in relation to foreign
policy-in particular to iron ore ex-
ports from Narvik.
This was interpreted as being in
no way threat of war, but rather
as indicative of Norway's fears that
interference with German shipping
in Norwegian waters would bring
retaliation from Germany which
would practically drag Norway into
the conflict.
The allies have protested to Nor
way and Sweden against allowing
German ships to use Scandinavian
territorial waters for carrying raw
materials such as Swedish ore to
Germany. British notes reported to
outline the British position on neu-
trality were handed to the Nor
wegian and Swedish Ministers in
London yesterday.
"If the allied powers should ask
us to stop free shipping, which goes
on according to generally acknowl-
edged international law, and which
they themselves have acknowledged,
said Koht, this would either be of
great damage to themselvs or, if
such hindrance of shipping should be
one-sided against one party, and
therefore in open conflict with the
neutrality which we have pledged
ourselves to maintain, Norway will
then at once be at war;
Exports Declared Exaggerated.
Koht's reference to great dam
age to themselves" for the allies ap-
parently was acknowledgment of
belief that Britain might insist on
ore deliveries herself while blocking
those of Germany.
II have stated publicly that peo-
pie exaggerate the Importance of
the ore export" the Foreign Min
lister declared.
circumstances have reduced this
export to one-fourth during the
war months and much more Swedish
ore goes to England than to Ger
many.
"In addition. it should be evident
that free sailing of commercial ships
in Norwegian waters Is of at least
the same advantage for the allies,
chiefly for Britain, as for Germany
since we have a much bigger trade
with Britain than with Germany"
In his 45-minute review of Nor
ways foreign policy-to be the sub
ject of parliamentary debate next
Tuesday-Koht stressed that Nor
ways neutral position was unaltered,
that this neutrality has been main
tanned impartially and that I'VE
cannot think of any other war as
possible for this country than a war
in which we are forced to defend
our independence and freedom"
Norway, he declared, has pains
takingly fulfilled her obligations" as
regards the normal exchange of
goods, as far as possible"
Attacks German Tactics.
He sharply attacked the sinking
of Norwegian merchantmen by Ger
man warcraft, declaring that during
the war Norway has lost 54 ships to-
falling 10000 tons and 1872 persons
killed.
OF the lost vessels, he said, at
least IL definitely were sent to the
bottom by submarines or other war
ships or airplanes.
I'm all these cases." Koht stated,
"the warcraft belonged to Germany.
In three cases. sinking was done in
accordance with international law"
I'm the other nine cases." he said,
1--WE have had to protest sharply"
Koht added that it was difficult
to remain cool when hearing of such
attacks on innocent seamen as the
bombing of the Mira Wednesday
with over 100 persons on board"
1--WE cannot acknowledge any right
to such procedure even if this Nor
wegian ship sailed under British
protection" he declared. 1--WE can
not understand that German war
riors can justify such attacks to
their feeling of honor or human de-
cency. 1t creates an indignation in
this country which no belligerent
should desire to produce"
The Mira, 1,152-ton vessel, ar
rived in Bergen yesterday with LOT
passengers and reported it had been
bombed eight times by German
planes while travelling in British
convoy. Two of the passengers were
slightly injured by bomb splinters
French Agreement Expected.
Koht emphasized that Norwegian
shipping was being conducted in ac-
cordance with trade agreements
signed February % with Germany
and March II with Great Britain.
and said an agreement was expected
to be signed shortly with France.
Scandinavian countries have pro-
posed jointly to Germany, he said,
that the matter of legal sailings''
be the subject of conference, but
have received no reply as yet.
Regarding violation of Norwegian
territory by foreign planes, Koht
said that orders had been given to
fire upon any such planes which
refused to submit to regulations.
Norway already has issued 81 pro-
tests against planes flying across
her territory. Koht asserted. Five
Of these protests have been sent to
(See NORWAY, Page ABB