PERILOUS DISPUTE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1931, Page 2

PERILOUS DISPUTE

NORWAY LAYS' CLAIM TO EAST GREENLAND. ;’ ': i; . f'i \ ;‘ - - -; : ; , : -' ; ’ DENMARK INDIGNANT. ■* : S t ■ . i’i >•* ■ . , 'OSLO, July 18. King Haakon has signed a formal declaration announcing Norway’s occupation of East Greenland, in connection with which the negotiations between Denmark and Norway has been broken -Dtffdfh Cabinet has tele* graphed from Copenhagen a complaint to tko Hague intwnfttional Court, a&k* ing for a declaration that Norway'a occupation of Greenland is void, and a violation of Denmark’s sovereign rights- / - ■ In -view of Norway having, in May, given a ihatibnal survey party police rights in East Greenland—which had previously been regarded as neutral territory—Denmark has -decided to give similar rights to the Lange Koek expedition, which as now proceeding towards Greenland. , Norway’s action has ’ angered Denmark,. and is .regarded as an attempt to .’secure a stronger position when the League of Nations finally considers the claims of the two nations. • ' .■-The Danes argue that other Powers recognise jDandsL sovereignty in East Greenland.;:.-Danish scientists, they claim;, explored'and mapped' the coast, and Denmark has undertaken the protection' of [the- Eskimos. The Government statements set out that the annexation has merely been undertaken to The Hague; and hunters have been ordered tp observe strictly the existing Greenland agreement between Norway and Denmark.