SWEDEN ABUSED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 August 1943, Page 3

SWEDEN ABUSED

BY GERMAN PRESS & RADIO FOR PROTESTING AGAINST OUTRAGE. SINKING OF FISHING CRAFT. LONDON, August 30. The German radio and Press are conducting a bitter propaganda campaign against Swedish papers and people, arising out of Sweden’s protest regarding the sinking by the Nazis of two fishing boats. One day, it is stated, the Swedish people may have to pay for their unneutral attacks in the Press.

The Swedish nation- is profoundly impressed by the Nazi campaign of terror in Denmark. It is now confirmed that the Danish Premier and his Cabinet have resigned. There were earlier reports that they had been interned with other members of the Government. The Finnish radio today expressed deep sympathy with the people of Denmark in their present trial. CALLED ABSURD NAZI REPLY TO PROTEST. TRUCULENT GERMAN THREATS (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, August 30. Reports from Sweden and Germany reflect the rising tension between the two countries. A German reply to Sweden’s protest against the sinking of the two Swedish fishing vessels in the Skagerrak on August 25, stated that the vessels not only acted unneutrally, but in a manner directly assisting Germany’s enemies, and that similar action would be taken against any vessels entering a prohibited area.

A spokesman at the Swedish Foreign Office described the German allegations as “completely absurd.” The Berlin news agency issued a statement accusing the Swedish newspapers of irresponsibility and adding that “authoritative circles in Berlin say there are limits to German restraint, particularly when restraint is answered with untrue statements. “The Swedish Press makes Sweden’s geographical position an excuse for an attitude undescribable as anything but arrogant and provocative,” says the “Deutsche Diplomatische Korrespondenz.” “More malicious, more insulting and more lying statements against Germany are hardly findable in the AngloAmerican Press. The Swedish Press has used every recent incident' for commentaries absolutely incompatible with Swedish neutrality.”

FIRE OPENED ON GERMAN AIRCRAFT EXPRESSION OF SYMPATHY WITH DANES. LONDON, August 29. The Swedish radio said tonight that anti-aircraft guns in the Mah mo area opened fire on a German aircraft which approached the west coast of Sweden opposite Copenhagen yesterday. The aircraft flew off. Later in the day another German aircraft flew over Swedish territorial waters off Helsingborg. There was an expression of Swedish feeling for the Danes today at the Stockholm Stadium at an athletic meeting between Sweden and Denmark. A huge crowd listened in silence when the president of the Swedish Sports Union spoke and assured the Danes of Swedish sympathy. He said he was convinced that Denmark would soon be free. When the Danish flag was run up the crowd broke into cheers and sang the Danish National Anthem. REACHING CRISIS RELATIONS BETWEEN GERMANV & SWEDEN. REJECTION OF NAZI REPLY TO PROTEST. (Received This Day, 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, August 30. Relations between Germany and Sweden are reaching a crisis. Authoritative Berlin statements now accuse the Swedes of assisting the Allies.

Swedish anti-aircraft guns fired on German planes which followed fugitive Danish warships into Landskrons Harbour. The Swedish Government has refused to accept the German reply to its protests against the sinking of two Swedish .fishing vessels last Wednesday. A Swedish Foreign Office spokesman said the Swedish Government adhered to its decision regarding the behaviour of the German destroyers. The Swedish Government was convinced that the fishing boats had done nothing to warrant the attack. The Swedish Transport Workers' Congress passed a resolution condemning Nazi terrorism in Norway. The resolution described the methods employed by the German occupation army as “loathsome even in a state of war.”

ESCAPED DANES MAY FORM GOVERNMENT IN EXILE. . GERMANS TRYING TO MINIMISE SITUATION. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) RtJGBY, August 30. Mr. De Kauffmann, Danish Minister in Washington, said today that the names of the Danes who have escaped to Sweden may prove significant. He said he believed Germany was trying to minimise the situation. He anticipated that those aboard the several ships which escaped will soon produce some direct information. Observers deduce from Mr De Kauffmann’s statements that the nucleus of a possible Government in exile may have reached safety.