BRITISH NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 April 1940, Page 5

BRITISH NOTES

ADDRESSED TO SWEDEN AND NORWAY COUNTERING NAZI TERROR TACTICS. EXPRESSED DETERMINATION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, April 6. Britain has sent Notes to Sweden and Norway clarifying the attitude of the Allies regarding Scandinavian neutrality. The contents of the Noles are not revealed, hut it is understood that they deal with the situation created by German threats, as a result of which the Scandinavian countries are no longer free agents.

According to the "Daily Telegraph's" diplomatic correspondents, the Notes express the Allies’ determination not to allow Germany to profit further from her terror tactics against the Scandinavian countries.

NORWAY’S POSITION CONTENTIONS OF FOREIGN MINISTER. OSLO. April G. "If the Allies want to stop free communication and if the stoppage is proved to work out against only one party, it would be an open contradiction of our neutrality and Norway would immediately be in the war,’’ said the Foreign Minister, Professor Koht, in Parliament. "The free passage of merchantmen in Norwegian waters has benefited the Allies as well as Germany. Norway lias never been interested in joining any belligerent. We cannot think of any war Norway would enter except for the defence of her independence and freedom.” “BOW WILL CRACK” PRESS COMMENT IN GERMANY. BERLIN, April 7. “England’s bow will crack if drawn much tighter,” says the Germany Press, referring to the blockade. It adds that Germany will see whether Scandinavian neutrality proves itself, and says British endeavours to accomplish such a blockade will lead her from economic warfare to military action. Authoritative circles, referring to the Anglo-Dutch agreement, says it is now necessary to investigate the extent to which Holland sacrificed her rights and shirked her duty to Germany.

DUTCH DECREES PREVENTING RE-EXPORT TO GERMANY. THE HAGUE. April 6. Following the new Anglo-Dutch trade agreement, decrees have been issued designed to ensure the stoppage of the re-export of Dutch imports to Germany. A long list of goods has been banned except where import is permitted by the Netherlands import centre, “Anic," whose permits are as effective as Navicerts. The plan will operate from April 8. VANISHED PATROL SUPPOSED ARREST BY NAZIS. AMSTERDAM, April G. A patrol consisting of a sergeant, corporal and eight privates guarding the frontier at Swalmen vanished on the night of April 3. It is believed they are being held by the Nazis after having lost their way.

SECRET SESSIONS IN BRITAIN AND FRANCE. MEASURES TO TIGHTEN BLOCKADE. A secret session of the British Parliament will be held on Thursday to discuss the measures to be taken to tighten the blockade, a Daventry announcement states. On Tuesday there will be a secret session of the French Senate.