NEUTRAL REPORTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1940, Page 5

NEUTRAL REPORTS

SIGNS OF DEVELOPING COOPERATION BETWEEN BRITISH FORCES AND NORWEGIANS. MILITARY AUTHORITIES RETICENT. RUGBY, April 20. A number of reports from Stockholm and the S wedish-Norwegian frontier indicate that co-operation between the British and Norwegian forces is being developed from Narvik, and complete Allied control is considered to be only a matter of time for the area from Narvik down to the region of Trondheim. Other unconfirmed reports suggest that the German troops at Trondheim are experiencing difficulties in obtaining supplies, because of the dominance of the sea route by the British and the Navy and the difficulties of landing at the aerodrome due to the melting snows and the damage by British bombs. Varnes aerodrome is stated to have been abandoned since an Allied air attack. In the south the Gormans appear to be slowly expanding the area under their control, and it is considered by some correspondents that following the reported German capture of Flisa, 36 miles south-east of Elverum. the battle of Elverum has now begun. King Haakon and the Norwegian Crown Prince are stated to be still with members of the Nygaardsvold Cabinet, who are moving from place to place. FOOD SHOR I AGE. In the Oslo area it seems that the German troops are seriously hampered by obstructions to their communications and are suffering from a food shortage. A German proclamation issued in Oslo admits that great delay has been caused his way in food transportation. and a good deal of labour and expense involved in repairing the damage. “If .supplies do not reach the various centres any quicker than al present the German authorities will have toe ommandecr trucks and cars to effect an improvement in the transportation of foodstuffs,” it is declared. "Also,

if necessary, the local authorities must take immediate energetic steps to have the damage repaired.” The British public has been greatly impressed by the news that the British and French troops have been convoyed up to the present to Norway without effective interference by the German Air Force or navy. This achievement is regarded as highly creditable from the point of view of speed, secrecy and security, and it supplies suggestive comment on the German boast to dominate the North Sea. Successive warnings have been made to the public to realise that all reports of British landings must be received with great reserve. It would be contrary to the public interest to make any official statement at present, .which could only have the effect of giving valuable information to the enemy, and enabling him to utilise his limited resources in Norway to greater advantage. The public agrees with the military authorities that there is everything to be said for keeping the Germans guessing as long as possible as Io the British intention. The public is well content for the present in the knowledge that lhe latest thrust of Nazi aggression has been, and is being, met with effective counter action by the Allies.