WELL-TRAINED ARMY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 134, 7 May 1940, Page 7

WELL-TRAINED ARMY

IN NORTHERN NORWAY. AVAILABLE FOR DEFENCE. (British Official 'Wireless;) Received Mav 7, 10.51 a.m. RUGBY, May 6. The Norwegian Foreign Minister (Professor Koht) received the Press in London to-night afterlie had seen Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax. In the course of his remarks he referred to the welltrained and well-equipped Norwegian forces still unused which are standing ready in the north. “In the northern part of my country there is still an army,” lie said. “It has been absolutely unused in this war and it will be of very good use, beca.use it is that part of our army which has been best-trained. The reason for this is easy to understand. We were afraid of possible Russian aggression. Finland was attacked, but not Norway. We were afraid they might come to our country and, therefore, we organised a northern army and trained it well.” Although these forces were wellequipped, they would need the support of aircraft and fuller provision for anti-aircraft guns. The Norwegian Foreign Minister said he had discussed with British Ministers co-operation in the future conduct of the war, but be emphasised that the liberty of Norway would only be fully assured by the final victory of the Allies. The visit of the Norwegian Ministers to London is welcomed by the Press, which attaches great value to the help which their knowledge may afford the Allied Governments, especially in view of the difficulties of communicating between the Allied and Norwegian Governments and their forces in Norway. (From Daventry.) Consultations between the Norwegian Defence Minister, who is now in London, and British military experts, are expected to give Great Britain a better impression of the details of the situation in Norway. Norwegian naval and military officers who are also in London will also contribute to the discussions.