Evening star., 1940-04-07
War Involvement
Feared by Norway
II Allies Stop Ore
Retaliation by Germany
Seen If Biockoders
Enter Neutral Waters.
Nv the Associated Press.

lament amid new apprehension
over the issue of Scandinavian neu-
trality, Foreign Minister Halvdan
Koht saio To-Day tnaG Norway will
At once be at war" If free shipping
In Norwegian waters should be in
terfered with to the advantage OF
one side in the European war.
This was interpreted as in no
way threat of war-least of all
against Britain-but as indicative
Of Norway's fears that interference
with German shipping in Norwegian
waters would bring retaliation from
Germany, which would drag Nor
way into the conflict.
1t was regarded also, as an en-
phatic method of stressing Norway's
neutral attitude and desire to escape
war, although Koht made dra-
matte reference to the possibility
of war "in which we would be
forced to defend our independence
and freedom"
Cites Benefits to Allies.
Koht told the allies in effect that
maintenance of the present status
of commerce in Norwegian waters
was to their advantage, that change
might be- their loss. He said:
"If the allied powers should ask
us to stop free, shipping, which goes
on according to generally &C
knowledge international law and
which they themselves have &C
knowledged, this would either be OF
great damage to themselves or, If
such hindrance of shipping should
be one-sided against one party, and
therefore in open conflict with the
neutrality which we have pledged
ourselves to maintain, Norway will
then at once be at war"
Kont spoke amid alarming but
unconfirmed rumors concerning the
diplomatic struggle and controversy
over the status of Norway and
Sweden as neutrals. The undis-
closed contents of notes handed to
the Norwegian and Swedish Minis
ters in London yesterday were the
subject of all manner of conjecture
AND revival of fears that war may
be forced upon the Scandinavian
states despite their determination
to remain neutral.
Newspapers in Sweden said
the British notes were devoted
mostly to an exposition of the
allied view on the Scandinavian
situation after the Russian
Finnish peace, and that they
; contained no threats or demands
on Norway and Sweden)
In particular there was the mat
ter of shipments of Swedish iron ore
ito Germany by way OF the northern
Norwegian port of Narvik and Nor
ways coastal waters. Britain has
limited action would be taken to
halt this commerce.
Importance Is Belittled.
Koht sought to belittle the i'm
portance Of such ore shipments.
Il have stated publicly" he said,
''that people exaggerate the impor-
tance of the ore export. Circum-
stances have reduced, this export to
one-fourth during the war months
and much more Swedish ore goes to
England than to Germany.
In addition, it should be evident
that free sailing of commercial ships
in Norwegian waters is of at least
the same advantage for the allies,
chiefly for Britain, as for Germany,
since we have much bigger trade
with Britain than with Germany"
Koht stressed that Norway was
continuing unchanged her policy of
impartial neutrality.
1--WE cannot think Of any other
war as possible for this country than
q war in which we are forced to de-
fend our independence and freedom, "
he said.
Despite Koht's warning that Nor
way might be pulled into the war by
interference with free shipping in
Norwegian waters, responsible Scan
dinavian opinion continued to insist
that the direct danger of Norway's
involvement was small, regardless of
the views expressed in London and
Berlin that her so-called total neu-
trality" would be difficult to MAIN
tain.
Conflicting Reports on Notes.
Some circles expressed confidence
that Britain was not making any
specific demands against Scandina-
Wan neutrality, but was asking for
clarification of the Scandinavian
attitude-especially as regards pres
sure from the Berlin Moscow part
nership.
Against this were rumors that
Britain was asking stoppage of all
ore shipments-including those to
Britain. 90.
Whether Norway and Sweden can
maintain their delicately-poised
neutral position between the sus-
picions of belligerent powers has,
however, become a live question
again. Both countries see them
selves, according to recent editorial
comment, as claiming neutrality
under circumstances in which such
neutrality not only is denied but
violated.
No Norwegian newspapers COM
mented today on Koht's address,
which was scheduled several days
ago. This fact and their failure
to discuss the latest British notes
was regarded as indicative OF the
delicacy Of the prevailing situation.
Indignation Continues.
Indignation over the bombing of
the l,152-ton Norwegian vessel
Mira last Wednesday continued. The
vessel reported it had been bombed
eight times by German planes while
travelling in a British convoy. It
reached Bergen with two passengers
injured.
Koht in his address said that it
was difficult to remain cool when
hearing of such attacks on innocent