Evening star., 1940-04-24
Sigrid Undset Calls Her Nation
To Stand United for Defense
Nobel Prize Winner
Points Out Heroic
Record of Norway

A statement by Sigrid Undset, in
which the Nobel prize winning Nor
wegian novelist called on her coun-
trymen to stand united for the
defense of Norway, was released to-
day my the Norwegian Legation
here. 1t was received by cable from
the Norwegian Legation in Stock
holm.
''The lion in Norway's ancient
shield has, possibly, given the world
the impression that it was a very
tame and peaceful animal" Mrs
Undset's statement said. But those
who may have thought that our lion
could be changed into a watchdog
for dictator, shall learn that they
have erred greatly"
The text of Mrs. Undset's state
ment follows:
1T has now come to pass that our
will to preserve our neutrality-a
will which may have been too opti-
mistic-has been to no avail.
Our men and our boys have had
to turn out head over heels to meet
a cynical attack on Norway's ex-
| lstance as Norwegian country,
A Long and Heroic Record.
"We are peaceful people. Our
peacefulness has for centuries been
virtue born of necessity, and it
has become a virtue deeply rooted
in our own hearts.
I'VE have, however, never given
the world any reason to believe that
We are a cowardly people even if
our smallness and geographical To-
cation have bid us to be an unwar-
like people. Let us remember our
sailors glorious record as saviors of
human life. Let us recall the heroic
deeds of our Norwegian ships officers
and crews during raging winter
storms in the North Sea when ships
were at the mercy of the elements.
Let us remember Norwegian sailors
who leaped into the ocean with a
line around their waist and struck
out in towering seas to save human
lives or die in the attempt. Let us
remember Frithjof Nansen's sinewy
endurance and self-sacrifice when
he led the work of saving the vic
tins of the last World War. And
may God grant that the heroism
which has saved and preserved life
shall never cease, but continue to
inspire us with jubilant pride.
"We can, nevertheless, greet with
sorrowful and bitter pride our SOL
diers who today are fighting for the
honor and freedom of our country
and for our right to remain that
which we have been for so long: A
people who love life and all that
upholds life, people who reject
any viewpoint based on blood and
iron and mailed fists.
Have Fought When Pressed.
"We have always shown that we
could fight when we had to. We
proved it during the years when we
were a significant part of the army
and navy of the twin kingdoms (the
Norway Union, $780, 1919
WC ploFCo AZ III ullC oCVClI Cdl .
War for our freedom and independ-
ence in 1914. We shall prove it
now.
The lion in Norway's ancient
shield has, possibly, given the world
the impression that it was very
tame and peaceful animal. But those
who may have thought that our lion
could be changed into a watchdog
for dictator shall learn that they
have erred greatly.
Il send greetings to all Norwegian
men and women who stand united
for the defense of Norway. May !
also greet and heartily welcome the
allies who are fighting for all small
nations right to live, as they indeed
are fighting for their own life.
May God grant that all nations
shall have peace, a peace which will
lead us to greater justice and broth
erly love in the world"