Evening star., 1940-02-26
Neutrality Support
Pledged Each Other
By Scandinavians
Foreign Ministers Also
Hope for Preservation
Of Firms independence
By the Associated Press.

naVlan neutralS at week emo con.
| ference sought to avoid becoming
entangled in the European wars by
agreeing to support each other mu-
tually In their negotiations with
belligerents"
The foreign ministers Of Sweden,
Denmark and Norway also expressed
the hope the Finnish Soviet Russian
war could "be brought to peaceful
solution which preserves the full In
dependence Of Finland"
In another passage apparently
aimed at Germany's submarine war
fare and Great Britain's boarding
Of the German steamer Altmark In
Norwegian waters, a communique
issued last night at the close Of the
conference said:
"The foreign ministers agreed to
raise serious objections to. and en-
deavor to avert violation of, the
principles Of international law in
the conduct Of naval warfare, which
inflicts considerable losses Of human
life and of economic value on neu-
trail states, when they maintain their
shipping in order to keep up their
| legitimate and necessary trade"
To Maintain Neutrality.
The conferees-Dr. Peter Munich
Of Denmark, Halvdan Koht of Nor
way and Christian Gunther Of Swe-
den-"agreed to maintain the In
volatility Of neutral territory in
accordance with the rules Of inter.
national law"
The Danish newspaper National
tidende. in commenting on the
meeting, declared:
1T may be Of Importance In the
future that they are agreed about
firmer lines for mutual action both
after violations Of neutrality
and about mutual efforts to get con-
cessions for their trade by bellig-
erents."
Expressing the conviction that the
longer the European war lasts the
more difficult will be chances for
peace because of greater "embitter.
ment between nations" the minis
ters' communique said they would
welcome any 'endeavor to initiate
negotiations for a "just and perma-
nent peace"
Even rs the two-day conference
ended, Swedish Prime Minister Per
Alhin Hanson broadcast from
Stockholm warning that Swedes
not overlook the chance of being
forced ito guard her (Sweden's)
vital interests, freedom and inde-
pendence with weapons in hand"
Hanson reiterated the govern
ment's determination to remain neu-
tral In the Russian Finnish conflict,
but said that help for Finland is
increasing in new forms in accord
ance with Sweden's non-interven-
ton policy.
Before the prime minister spoke.
Parliament gave the government
control Of gold and foreign exchange
exports as defense measure.
The Stockholm Aftonbladet as
serted Premier Hansson's home was
being kept under 24-hour police
guard as result of threatening
anonymous letters which were be-
1ieved to be from enthusiasts for
direct military Intervention In Fin
land.
Bombing Not Discussed.
Gunther, the Swedish foreign
minister, interviewed here, said the
foreign ministers conference had
not discussed the bombing Of the
Swedish town of Pajala on the Fin
nish border last week. Swedes have
declared the bombing the work of
Russian bombing planes, but the
Russians have denied it.
Danish newspapers printed re-
ports from Finland that two cap
tured Russian pilots had admitted
participating in the bombing when
they lost their way.
Norway continued attempts to set
tie her dispute with Britain over
the Altmark case by Offering to
arbitrate the matter, If q solution
could not be reached through di-
rect negotiation.
An official note released in Oslo
expressed the hope Britain will feel
convinced the Norwegian govern
ment in this matter strictly has fol-
lowed international law"
Neutrality Intention
Welcomed by Reich
BERLIN, Feb. 26 R.-Authorized
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