The Daily News. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1916. GOADING NORWAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 November 1916, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1916. GOADING NORWAY.

Germany is behaving to Norway in ft way that can only lead to that country also being embroiled in the war. Germany evidently desires war, and is doing her best to provoke it. She is sinking ship after ship bearing the Norwegian flag, without regard for human life or anything else, and establishing what is practically a blockade of the southern coast of Norway. The Norwegians have a big mercantile marine—totalling 3,"90 vessels, aggregating one and three-quar-ter million tons—and sustain, themselves in great measure by these maritime interests. For that reason the Norsemen cannot continue to suffer the losses the unscrupulous Germans are causing. Norway's chief crime is that she is friendly with Britain and U doing most of her trade with England and her colonies and dependencies. This trade has been greatly increased since the outbreak of war by Britain's demand for timber and other Scandinavian products, and Germany seeks to destroy that trade. The Norwegians have always endeavored to steer a middle course during the war. They realised that they were in no position to wage war successfully with thtlr powerful and unscrupulous neighbor, but the Norwegians are a proud and independent people, and not likely to submit much longer to the continual smacks in the face they are being subjected to. They know the German character as weU as we do; that is the reason why the nation is practically unanimously in favor of the cause of the Allies. It may be that Germany is trying to bully her into compliance with her wishes. If so, Germany is making another great mistake. Germany is so hopelessly conceited that she never learns from experience. On the eve of war she tried to frighten the British nation, through our Berlin ambassador, into keeping out cf the # war; since, she has tried to intimidate the British public by sending Zeppelins over England and dropping bombs And she has essayed many other mean.3 of intimidation and coercion. But the. effect all through has been but to strengthen Britain and her allies in their determination to crush the hideous monster that has brought about the present holocaust. The effect of the ruthleyj submarining of the Norwegian vessels should likewise harden King Haakon's subjects in their opposition to the Teutons, and vary likely lead, to their joining the Alli«3. It is worth while recalling just now that Norway's independence is the subject of a treaty between the principal Powers of Europe. In 1907 the treaty of 1855, under which the integrity of Norway and Sweden as againai Russia was guaranteed by Great Britain and France was dissolved, and a new treaty guaranteeing the independence and territorial integrity of Norway was signed by the representatives of Great Britain, France, Russia, Germany and Norway. The Norwegian ■ Government undertook to cede no part of Norwegian territory to any Power either by way of occupation or by way of any arrangement. The treaty is in force for ton years; should it not be denounced by one or the other party at least two years before the expiry of the ten yeaw it will remain in force for a fresh period of ten years, and so forth. Of course, Germany is not likely to respect her side of the treaty a moment linger than suitß her purpose. As for Norway's: fighting forces in the event of a decision for war, the latest authorities on the subject show that the kingdom's effective strength is about 110,000 men of all ranks; in time of war all males between the ages of fifteen and fifty-five are liable for military service. The navy consists of four ironclads, two coast defence monitors, four destroyers, three gunboats, thirty-eight torpedo boats, and three or four submarines, The Norwegians are a hardy and valiant race, and their nccession to the ranks of the Allies would be welcomed. That is about the only protest left to them. Brute forceis the only argument the hideous Teutor, understands. To employ words is simply a waste of time and effort, as we know too well from the experience of tho United States with all her potent influence and physical power?.