The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-02-16
SCANDINAvIANS
LIABLE TO FLOP
But Which Side They VIII
Take An Depends on
Future Events


Copenhsgen, Denmark, Feb. 16 =
UPl - scandinavian nations,
angry and alarmed ct Germany's
attacks on neutral shipping, talked
today Of joint action to save their
merchant, marine and trade.
Their position, with Russia at
lacking Finland at one end Of the
Baltic and Germany Immediately
adjacent to them at the other, was
delicate, But more and more open,
were hints that the Scandinavian
nations should get together, with
each other or with the belIigerents,
to save themselves.
Sinking Of Scandinavian merch-
anthem, en- route not to or from
belligerent ports but between neu-
trail ones, and allegations Of
machine cummings and Smelling Of
1feboats, seemed to be bringing the
test between Germany's submarine
and air feet and the northern neu-
trails, including the Netherlands,
close TO hand.
For the present, comment on
Gef1manyg campaign was confined
to newspapers Eagerly but II was In
dicated that the newspapers clear.
" reflected national opinion.
It was believed that the first ON
cial announcement might be made
before the Swedish parliament next
week by Foreign Minister O. T..
Guenther, IN q statement on meas
ures which the government intend
ed to take to protect Swedish trade
with oil neutral countries.
Norway Hardest Hit
Norway, heaviest shipping loser in
the German campaign, was the
most Outspoken Of the Scandina-
VANS. The conservative and infiu-
entail Aftenposten Of Oslo said to-
day:
TT seems as II there exists OBJ
security concerning which neutra!
rights the belligerents will allow us
to continue to exercise on the seas.
We are Of the firm opinion that
this obscurity must be ended now by
negotiations between all powers
concerned. Are we to be allowed to
obtain coal we need from England?
Are we allowed to obtain coal and
oil products we need from America?
II not, what are we allowed to do
and under what conditions?
1--WE are q nation living upon
peaceful trade with Germany as
well, but this collaboration presup-
posed Reciprocity. II we are not al
lowed to trade with one power, or
even with neutra,s, we can not OF
course trade with other powers. The
actual almost daily sinkings Of Nor
wegian ships and crew can not pos
Sibly continued"
This editorial followed demand
yesterday by the Bergen newspaper
/ Tidende that the Scandinavian ma
lions and Holland take Joint pro-
tective action. It urged the Nor
wegian government to take the
problem up with German trade
delegation now at Oslo and limited
that negotiations might DO broken
OF as q warning.
Attacks German Case
The conservative newspaper Ma
tional Tidende Of Copenhagen di.
rectly attacked the German case In
O. leading editorial today. II cited
sinking Of Danish and Netherlands
ships en- route from neutral ports
to neutral ports, with cargoes des.
tined for lleutrals alone.
Gwen II the sinking Of these ships
Is covered by German prize court
rulings" the newspaper said, ut
must be pointed out firmly that
these rulings are exceedingly one.
\ sided, that they lack international
recognition and that they disagree
with realities which can not be
compressed into the cold terms Of
rulings. Stronger than these Is the
right to life"
seamen Of the Norwegian Steam.
ship Tempo, sunk In the North Sea
by German planes, testified at
marine inquiry at Oslo that the
J German planes machine glinned
+ their lifeboats. Il was reported that
the Norwegian Steamship Bisp, l.
800 tons, was overdue at Haugesund
and was feared sunk. Five men OF
the Danish steamship Martin
4 Goldschmidt, sunk In the North
Sea, were picked UP by Norwegian
steamship. It was feared that the
remaining IS men were lost.
- g. -.