BRITISH NOTE TO NORWAY
London, To-day.
The British Government's communication to the Nor- wegian Government says that it is notorious that the Alt- mark participated in the de- predations of the Graf Spee, to which she acted as auxi- liary.
The British Government had the best of reasons, confirmed by British subjects taken off the Graf Spee and previously imprisoned in the Altmark, to know that there were some 300 and 400 Britons on board who had long been living under intolerable condi- 'tions.
The Altmark was also credibly be- lieved to possess offensive armaments. The record of the Altmark must have been well known to the Norwe- gian Government and in the view of Ills Majesty's Government it was in- cumbent on the Norwegian authori- tles when she entered Bergen and re- quested a passage through Norwegian territorial waters to subject her the most careful search.
to
be
His Majesty's Government will grateful for full particulars with re- gard to how the search was conduct- ed and what facts were discovered.
Reports received by His Majesty's Government indicate that the exam- ination was perfunctory--as shown by the fact that no prisoners were discovered.
After referring to Norway as ap- parently failing in its duty as a neu- tral, the Note asks:-If they had found British prisoners on board, what would they have done with them? Either they would have re- them
The officer in charge of the boarding party, as soon as the ships closed in, leaped eight feet from the Cos- sack to the Altmark, waving a revolver and shouting leased them or, anyhow, held "Come on. Follow me.”.
or many
of them,
The Germans, "The Foreign Secretary, Lord Hall-scuttled like frightened rabbits and fax, yesterday lodged a complaint left the ship in scores as hurriedly as with the Norwegian Minister against they could get overboard: the fallure of the Norwegian authori- ties to establish the presence of be- tween 300 and 400 British prisoners aboard the Altmark when she searched at Bergen.
Was
"The Norwegian Minister was ask- ed to obtain urgently and explanation of the circumstances which have given rise to this complaint.
"He was Informed that it appeared to His Majesty's Government that the Norwegian Government had in this matter falled in their duty as a neu- tral and His Majesty's Government felt that the case against this parti- cular ship was such that they were justified In pressing that the Altmark should be internod." Routar.
ENEMY'S KNELL IS U-BOAT BELL
Normally orders and parade calls are what sailors in the Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham, hear on the loud- speakers in their messes, quarters and drill sheds.
But occasionally sweeter music than commands falls on their cars the clang of a bell with a note all its own. A U-boat bell.
When they hear it, officers and men leap to their feet and cheer.
For the ball is ringing the death knell of another German warship. It tells the British sallors that another enemy vessel has been sent to the bottom.
These men, who were armed, took up positions among the high rooks and opened fire blindly, wounding one of the British contingent in the shoulder.
pending a full examination.
His Majesty's "We,
Government, there- The first stated, inter alia,
to have fore, felt they had every right to com- the German people, wish
English plain of the inaction of the Norwegian friendly relations with the nation, but bwing to your country de- Government. claring war on mine, I am forced to take your ship as a prize of war to defend our honour and living."
were close
Three hundred British men kept for weeks and months in confinement and if those prisoners had found a way to a camp in Ger- the Norwegian Government
The Altmark commander's state- ment quoted a report in Dutch news- many
It was not until then that the Bri- papers describing the treatment of would have been responsible for their
German prisoners in Africa and add-| fate. ish party fired in retaliation.
ed: "Because of this, any request by The Note concludes by demanding British prisoners in this ship will. de- the. internment of the Altmark.-Reu-.
Reuter.
ter.
Among those sent to hospital on ar- rival at Leith, and still detained, are about seventy Lascars. They are ex-finitely be refused." pected to be discharged to-morrow.
THRILLING STORY
One of the released prisoners, Au- brey Jenkins of the "Doric Star," told a thrilling story of the bravery and daring of the men from H.M,S. C08- sack.
He said: "Immediately the grap- pling irons were affixed to the side of the Altmark, the men from the Cossack fairly leaped to their job. They appeared to relish the venture as they landed on the Altmark's deck with pistols and flashing bayonets.
"During the scrap it was obvious that the Germans had no stomach to face the reckless sailors.
"One German standing alongside me raised a pistol to shoot at one of the boarding party, but he was not fast enough."
TWO STATEMENTS
Another ex-prisoner, George John- ston, of the "Newton Beach," pro- duced copies of statements made to the "Newton Beach" crew by the Commander of the Admiral Graf Spee and by the Commander of the Altmark to the prisoners in his ships.
ships.
ALTMARK STILL AGROUND
Oslo, To-day.
war-
The bell, which is made of bronze, was taken from the German sub- The Altmark is still aground, with marine: U 152 during the last war. about 100 Germans on board. She is
It stands on a table near the micro-being: guarded by Norwegian phone in the Commodore's office and directly news of a British naval vic- tory comes through It is rung. Then, after a pause to allow the excitement at: the loudspeaker and to subside, a have been sent ashore to a hospital.- naval officer reads out the news.
A: Norwegian doctor went on board when the British left and treated the wounded Germans, three of whom
Reuter.
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