The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-11-06
COMMENT ON WORLD
EVENTS

A report given currency last spring
that the Nazis had "taken Sweden by
was evidently considerably
exaggerated Like a good many facile
phrases made popular in these times
lit perhaps had some measure of truth
but was not the whole truth by any
means. Which should make us all
wary of being swayed by the glib
phrase, the snappy slogan, the other
Expressions designed to rouse fury
land passion, but not thought.
These conclusions are based on
news of the firm stand taken by
Swedish organized labor in condem-
nation of the shooting of Norwegian
labor officials by the Nazis. Quite
likely Swedish labor did not say all
that was in it's heart, but it demon
strated it is still a free agent in a
free country and is not taking orders
from Nazi overlords.
The annual congress of the Swedish
labor movement began on Sept. 7, just
as Nazi terrorism in Norway was
reaching a climax. The morning ses-
sion of the 11th, the international
Federation of Trade Union says, was
opened with a moving ceremony in
memory of the Norwegian union Of
icials who were shot on the previous
Iday. In the dimmed light of the meet
ing hall, where the Norwegian flag
was flying, the delegates listened in
ltense silence to the words of August
!Lindberg.
yesterday morning." Lin d g
said, eve received the news of the
shooting of our two Norwegian COM
rades. | must refrain from express
ing our feeling in regard to this act
| only wish to say that we shall never
never forget these comrades. We
shall observe a minutes silence"
The congress then unanimously
adopted resolutions which expressed
it's "profoundest dismay" at the
murder of the Norwegians, declared
its "open admiration" for the loyalty
Iof the Norwegian workers to democ-
racy and national independence and
added
owe regret that every avenue for
free association with the German
workers seems to be closed. But we
refuse to believe that power which
violates the just interests of other
nations can find support among the
German workers.
"The names of Hansteen and Wick
'stroem (the executed trade unionistS }
are inscribed forever in the history Of
the Norwegian people. They are
martyrs in the fight for Norway's lib
,erty and for the Norwegian workers
right to decide their own affairs with
in Norwegian law. We honor their
memory. They have made of them
selves new bond of fellowship be-
tween the Scandinavian peoples"
Xxx X
Commenting 81 the stand of the
Swedish workers, the international
Federation of Trade Unions says:
"ThiS is the spontaneous response
IOt the scandinavian community OF ma
tions (insofar as they are still free to
speak) to the latest series of crimes
committed by the Nazi terror against
the workers. The Swedish labor move
ment is the first to raise its voice in
lprotest.
at is the voice of those suffering
under oppression, and of the organ
| lized workers throughout the world
It's appeal is at once clear threat to
Tascism and serious warning to the
German workers."
The |. F. r. U. adds that the ac-
cusation of the Swedish workers is
getting on the nerves of the Nazis
and that the German press is threat
ening all sorts of dire things will
happen to Sweden.