Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1940-04-18
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS REVIEW
Continued from Page II


in neutral Norwegian waters, did the
trick, for it brought on the German
invasion, and the desired status of
Norway as an ally of Britain and
France.
Occupation of Denmark.
Denmark refused to fight when
the Germans marched in; there was
bit OF sporadic fighting, and twelve
Danish soldiers lost their lives, but
the Copenhagen government issued
an order not to shoot at the Germans.
There were reasons for that; in the
first place, the invasion was COM
plete and stunning surprise; in the
second place, the small Danish army
kept small under the threat of
big-power hostility-would, in effect,
have committed suicide if it tried to
put wrench into the tremendous
German war machinery, and, in the
third place, the level ground of the
country afforded no opportunity for
defense. In this respect, Norway
has natural advantages in its fjords
and mountains, but Denmark has
only its open fields, its low hills and
its forests.
All Well?
A string of long press kilograms
have come from Copenhagen report
ing to the world how pleasant and
normal life is in that city, even now
that it is in German hands. One
gets-what one is expected to get
the distinct impression that the Ger
man soldiers were almost welcomed
guests, and the word determination
with the Germans is used very fire.
quently.
But it should not be forgotten that
every telegram which leaves Copen-
hagen now has to pass through Ger
man censorship!
1t is, however, quite possible that
there is not much trouble; it would
only make matters worse for the
Danes themselves, and it is their ira
ditional attitude to accept things
as they come; to yield to the newt
able, and to accept what would be
suicidal to reject.
- Shipping.
A paradoxical situation has been
brought about by the fact that Den
mark, now, at least temporarily,
under German control, automatically
ceases to be known as a neutral state;
in the eyes of the allies Denmark is
an enemy state" and for that rea-
son the British are planning to seize
any Danish vessel they may find on
the sea or in harbors. This is para
doXical because, as all the world
knows, Denmark is far more pro-
British than pro-German, but in Lon
don it is claimed, nevertheless, that
since Denmark is under German rule,
it is technically" an enemy of Great
Britain and France.
Iceland Status.
Another result of the most recent
developments is that Iceland has
broken its personal union with Den
mark. The two countries, each in
dependent, had king and foreign serv-
ice in common, but now the Ice
landic parliament has declared that
since the king cannot rule, he is not
their king any more. The actual
fact behind this situation is that the
Icelandic parliament is unable to
communicate with that of Denmark,
and therefore the Icelandic cabinet
has taken over the duties formerly
belonging to the king and the foreign
ministry at Copenhagen. 1t is empha-
sized in all official statements about
the matter that this is only tenn
porary measure, and that it by no
means will affect the close friend
ship between Denmark and Iceland.
Sweden'S Fate.
What may happen to Sweden, no
one can tell; Per Albin Hanson,
premier, announced the other day
that his government will maintain
strict neutrality, and that if Ger
many wants to send troops through,