Matter Expected te Be Left to Lie; Paris on Duties of Neutrality London, Feb. 23. Britain has three choices of action in connection with the fate of the German steamer Altmark, which was grounded within Norwegian territorial waters after a British destroyer had removed British prisoners from it, according to observers here yesterday.
Britain may make representations io Norway, attempt to halt the vessel by naval action, or do nothing, they said. Informed sources believed that the last course would be most likely.
In the first place, they said, the neident has become very involved and obscure and Britain will probably po willing to withdraw, singe the British prisoners were rescued. They doubted hat Britain would risk involvement in an untenable legal position by the invasion of Norwegian waters and also doubted that the Altmark would be considered of sufficient value to justify naval operations outside Norwegian waters close to German aerial bases at Skagerrak, According to reports from Norwegian coastal towns a battle was in progress off the coast, and it was believed it might be possible that Britain had decided to attempt 'o capture the vessel by force.
London official circles watched with interest reports that the Germans were preparing to re-float the Altmark and take it to Germany. There was no indication what further steps would be taken, if any, beyond representations already made pressing for the Altmark's internment, These representations were made orally last Saturday when Lord Halifax, the Foreign Minister, talked with the Norwegian Minister. Howe ever, no formal, written representation was made—United Press.
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