Evening star., 1940-04-11
Scandinavian Enyoys
Here Are Encouraged
By British Support
Norwegian Minister
Says Country Will
FIGHT to Last Ditch
BY CARTER BROOKE JONES.

right to Last Ditch
BY CARTER BROOKE JONES.
The Scandinavian Legations, still
without direct word from their en-
battled governments, scanned news
papers and listened to broadcasts
anxiously today, meanwhile keeping
in close touch with their shipping
and other interests in this country.
Norwegian Minister Wilhelm
Munthe de Morgenstierne and
Danish Minister Henrik de Kauff-
mann were reported distinctly en-
couraged by the fierce fight which
the British apparently were waging
to dislodge the Nazi invader. These
ENJOYS also were bolstered in a dark
hour by the attitude of the American
Government, which had made 1t
clear that no conquest through force
would be recognized by this country.
Both Ministers had been informed
OF President Roosevelt's executive
order that Norwegian and Danish
bank deposits and other assets in
the country be impounded to pre-
vent their possible seizure by the
Germans.
Many Ships in u. S. Ports.
The swift and unheralded inva-
sion Of Denmark and Norway found
many ships of both countries, mostly
freighters, in ports of the United
States. The Norwegian Minister said
masters of Norwegian vessels had
asked for instructions, but he had
hesitated to send any and had asked
them to stand by pending further
developments.
At the Danish Legation it was said
Danish ships likewise had been
asked to stay where they are for the
present. These include the Danish
merchant marine training ship
"Danmark," now docked at Jackson
vile, Fla. The Danmark, with 120
cadets aboard, visited Washington
last fall.
The Norwegian Minister, who late
yesterday held his first press con-
ference since his country was in
vaded, expressed confidence Norway
would fight to the last ditch in de-
Tense Of her liberty and independ-
ence.
The Danish Minister, after a visit
to the White House, said he had
received clear indication from Pres
ident Roosevelt that this Govern
ment would continue to recognize
him as the legal Envoy of his coun-
try despite its forced surrender to
the Nazi military machine.
It was explained at the Danish
Legation that "the international
status and the friendly relations
between Denmark and Iceland have
been affected in no way whatsoever
by the necessary steps taken by
the Icelandic Parliament"
Reports that the fundamental
relations between the two countries
had been changed, 1t was added,
were without foundation and could
be due only to misunderstanding OF
their actual relationship. It was
pointed out that since 1918 Iceland
and Denmark had been free and in
dependent countries united by~s
common King and by the .Ggfee-
ment contained In the Danish -Ioe-
1Andic union act Of 1916.
Statement Issued.
The Legation statement added:
'Due to the. present situation
when all connections are cut OF be.
tween Denmark and Iceland, it is
impossible to send bills passed by
the Icelandic Parliament to Den-
mark for the signature of his
majesty the King or to give instruc-
tions to the Danish foreign service
concerning the foreign policy of Ice
land. Therefore, the Icelandic Par
lament has found it necessary to
resolve that the executive power
invested in the King, according to
the Icelandic constitution, for the
time being will be carried out by the
1celandic cabinet"
Offers of aid, financial and per-
sonal, poured into both legations.
It was said that numerous Ameri-
cans Of Norwegian or Danish descent
had volunteered for military service.
All offers of assistance were filed
away for the time being pending
instructions from the governments.
At the Swedish Legation the same
comment of the last two days was
forthcoming: mo news"
Hoped for Lasting Peace.
The Norwegian Minister, who has
been connected with the Legation
here of and on for 80 years, said
ut his press conference yesterday:
"Our efforts to aid the cultural de-
velopment of our people perhaps was
destructive of our national defense.
We had hoped that the world would
turn away from the barbarism of
war"
The Minister paused, looked over
the heads Of the newspaper people
gathered in the spacious living room
OF the new Legation at Thirty fourth
and Massachusetts, avenue, and
added quietly:
"But we have been forced by this
ruthless invasion to take up arms in
defense Of our freedom and inde-
pendence. There was no other choice,
and I pray to God we will win"
Explaining that he thought he
knew something of the American
people after spending most of 80
years among them, he said he knew
Norway could count on the sympathy
and understanding ''of our great sis
ter democracy, the United States"
Ranrnnnsznf;on