1954-04-14 — Page 7

Princess Martha Of Norway Lies In State

THE

CHINA MAIL,

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1954.

COMMERCE

Crown Princesss Martha of Norway, who died in Oslo last week, lies in state in the Norwegian capital. The entire Norwegian Royal Household were entled to her bedside in the State Hospital before she died. The Duke of Gloucester is lo

represent Queen Elizabeth at the funeral. Express Photo.

Norway's New Army Training Manual Causing Controversy

Oslo, Apr. 13. the

If a nation teaches her soldiers

World War II techniques of "silent killing" and commando warfare, is she endangering her civilisation and culture?

That is the question being discussed in Norway following a report that a the Liberal evening published by

newspaper, "Dagbladet," commando-type instruction book had been used in the training of a Home Guard unit.

holds barred" methods of warfare Quotations of the "no advocated in this instruction hook have led critics to question whether the brutalisation of the recruits implied in such training would not, in the end, produce a nation of barbarians who would have no culture civilisation left to defend.

Hepresentatives

of the de- fence forces have pointed out that such information is neves-

fur sary only a a protection the soldiers who in an extreme emergency ought to be prepared for n kinds of wartare if they *** are to play their part in

thetr fending

country

saving their own lives.

It was also stated

Home

Guard units

and

that the longer this kind training although the book approved

available and

of

19

to

them.

bave time for

"No one can say what kinds of attack our soldiers, parlicu larly those in the Home Guard, might be up against in any new Home Guard wor," snld instructor. "And it is only fair to our men that they should be forewarned and know how to deal with such situations.

But "Dagbladet" claimed that same of the methods described In the commandu training book must be regarded as violating the Geneva Convention, and 11 against the recruits protested being trained to criminal acts.

Оле

method of particular

prisoners, known Immobilising

the as the "leg lock,"

paper described as "andistic torture." This method

involves crousing the prisoner's legs round a tree or telegraph pole in such a way that he sits holding on by hands and unable to move legs.

man

that

the

or

defence stressed "Ar: we to set the same wrote. thing happening tromani | authorities ab of making their able to defend their lovoldiers allow the ertinaal

pruces

In the most effective country e; almue unopposed?"

way. while at the same time Other contributors to the dis-keeping in mind that húman cussion claimed that all kinds dignity which is a vital part of of warfare ure

The brutal.

Scandinavian civilisation in hand-to-

culture. killing of a mon hand fighting by breaking his neek or stabbing him with

brutal bayonet ure than lying

un aircraft high over towns or camps and drop- ping high explosive bumba

no

inore

on

J2-

the unsuspecting people below. Some of those who took part

and in sabotage

underground realstauer

in ocupled work

uh: Norway during scribed silu tone in which more or less brutal methods of self- defence or silent killing could be necessary, not only to save the commando's own life, tit also those of his friends, and to prevent himself from being cap- tured when he might give away secrets under torture.

und

One contributer quoted from the Norwegian "Soldier's Hand- book"; "To defend your country does not only mean to prolect our geographical territory and the lives of individust citizens. It also means safeguarding our culture, our social and politien? liberty and our free institu- tlons."--China Mail Speelut,

Transfer Of RN Funds

Criticised

TRADE Funnel