GERMAN SPLEEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24227, 20 February 1940, Page 9

GERMAN SPLEEN

DIRECTED AT BRITAIN “PROTEST NOT ENOUGH” THREAT OF DISASTERS (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 18. (Received Feb. 19, at 9.37 p.m.) The German press and radio have taken up the cry, “ protest is not enough,” and threaten Britain with the worst possible disasters as reprisals. They declare that no State is neutral which tolerates such a monstrous crime. “A quick decision is necessary now,” it is declared.. “ Delay is danNorway must repair the damage done.” Marshal Goering’s Essener National Zeitung says: “ Even after such an incident a neutral can take effective steps to obtain satisfaction, but Norway is not neutral if she disposes of such a crime with a lame protest.” OPINION IN LONDON NEXT MOVE WITH NORWAY LONDON, Feb. 19. (Received Feb. 19, at 9.37 p.m.) The next move seems to lie with Norway, first to reply to the British complaint and, secondly, to decide the status of the Altmarck, which is aground, namely, whether she is a free merchantman or whether she can be interned as a warship. The status of the Altmarck is further complicated by the news that she was flying a German service flag when she entered Bergen, for which reason she was exempt from the usual Customs examination. OPINION THE LAW VIOLATED PARIS* Feb. 18. Military authorities contend that the Altmarck violated international law in concealing the fact that British prisoners were on board and that she was armed with guns. QUESTION FROM DENMARK WHERE STAND NEUTRALS? COPENHAGEN, Feb. 18. The press stresses the deliberateness of Britain’s action and asks where neutrals stand now. ALTMARCK STILL AGROUND UNDER NORWEGIAN GUARD . LONDON, Feb. 19. (Received Feb, 19, at 11 p.m.) The Altmarck remains with her stern aground and under a guard of Norwegian marines. It is not known how many members of the crew are on board*. Some have gone to a neighbouring town. A doctor visited the ship.