Evening star., 1942-09-16
Roosevelt Presents
Submarine Chaser
To Norwegian Navy
Crown Princess Martha
Accepts Vessel. at
Ceremonies Here

Of Norway a new submarine chaser
for use Of the Norwegian Navy ''as
a token of the admiration and
friendship of the American people"
for "unconquerable Norway
The ship was turned over to the
Princess IN a half-hour ceremony
at the Navy Yard shortly after noon.
Mr.. Roosevelt's presentation speech
and the Princess acceptance we're
broadcast nationally.
May this ship long keep the seas
in the battle for liberty" Mr.. Roose-
welt said.
The subchaser was named King
Haakon in honor of the King Of
Norway. Praising the fight being
waged by the Norwegian fleet. Mr..
Roosevelt said it was a privilege for
the United States ito assist this
gallant navy" by adding a ship to it
under the Lease-lend Act.
Norway Held Up as Example.
In accepting the boat Crown
| Princess Martha said: Those who
are going to take her into the thick
of our common battle tell me that
their greatest ambition shall be to
show themselves worthy of their
flag and of the trust and friendship
of the President and people of the
United States"
The President, in his talk, said.
| If there is any one who still Won
ders why this war is being fought,
let him look to Norway If there
is any one who has any delusions
that this war could have been
averted. let him look to Norway.
And if there is any one who doubts
the democratic will to win, again l
say, let them look to Norway.
He will find in Norway, at once
conquered and unconquerable, the
answer to his questioning.
I'VE all know how this most
peaceful and innocent Of countries
was ruthlessly violated. The COM
bination Of treachery and brute
force which conquered Norway will
live IN history as the blackest deed
of a black era. Norway fought
valiantly with what few weapons
there were at hand-and fell.
Heroic When Aroused.
"And with Norway fell the con-
| cept that either remoteness from
political controversy or usefulness
to mankind could give any nation
immunity from attack in a world
where aggression spread unchecked.
But the story of Norway since
the conquest shows that while free
democracy may be slow to realize
its danger, it can be heroic when
aroused. At home, the Norwegian
people have silently resisted the in
vader's will with grim endurance.
Abroad, Norwegian ships and Nor
wegian men have rallied to the
cause Of the United Nations. And
their assistance to that cause has
been out of all proportion to their
small numbers. The Norwegian
merchant marine has lost some 200
ships and 1900 seamen in carrying
the supplies vital to our own and
Allied forces overseas. Nor has the
Norwegian Navy been less active.
Morse fighting ships battled val
iantly but vainly against the invader
destroying one-third of the Ger
man invasion fleet before they were
overwhelmed by superior forces.
Right now the blue cross of Norway
flies on the fourth largest navy of
the United Nations-a navy whose
operations extend from the North
Sea to the Indian Ocean.
Princess Replies to Roosevelt.
1T Is today the privilege of the
people of the United States. through
the mechanism of the lease-lend
law, to assist this gallant navy in
carrying out its present heavy
duties.
Your royal highness, as a to-
ken OF the admiration and friend
ship Of the American people toward
your country and her navy, I ask
you to receive this ship. We Amer
leans, together with the millions OF
loyal Norwegians, are glad that
this ship is being given today the
name of the King of Norway-a
leader we'll versed in the ways of
the sea, true leader who, with his
people, has always stood for the
freedom of the seas for all ma
tions. May this ship long keep the
seas In the battle for liberty. May
the day come when she will carry
the Norwegian flag into a home port
in free Norway"
Crown Princess Martha in &C.
cepting the subchaser said:
"On behalf of the King and the
government OF Norway I am very
happy to accept this ship of war.
which under the provisions OF the
lease-lend act you have today
transferred to my country. Hay
ing just returned from London,
am in a position to bear personal
witness to the deep appreciation
with which your friendly and gen.
erous action is being received by
those who lead the Norwegian peo-
pie in It's fight for freedom.
Norwegians Are Stirred.
But not only the leaders-also
Norwegian men and women every
where, on sea and on land, on the
home front and on the external
front, are stirred at what is taking
place here today. It is not alone
that this admirable, technically
complete submarine-chaser means
as an addition to our fighting navy.
but also, and not the least, what it
signifies as an expression of the
friendship and common purpose of
our great comrade-i the
American people.
The beautiful and generous words
just expressed by you, Mr.. President,
about the Norwegian people and It's
contribution to our common cause
will ultimately find their way to
every Norwegian home, every Nor
wegian ship on the seven seas, YES,
to everywhere on this globe where
Norwegian men and women are
praying and working and fighting to
regain the free and happy Norway
OF our deepest longing.
Especially coming from one whose
clear vision and unfaltering courage