"One hundred thousand men would have been necessary to save Finland," he said. "Germany would have intervened immediately,"
In his broadcast, the Foreign Minister expressed bitterness at the criticism directed against Norway and Sweden for their refusal tò allow the passage of troops to Finland. "On several occasions we were charged with not remaining completely neutral," he added.
Referring to the Altmark affair, he stressed that while the Allies accused Norway of violating her neutrality, Germany emphasized the way in which Norway adhered to international law, M. Koht emphatically denied that Germany had established any submarine bases on Norway's coast, and that Norway had been dealing secretly with the Reich, "If we had done so," he stressed, "Britain's contraband control would have been powerless."
Before concluding his broadcast, M, Koht announced that Norway, during the past six months, exported only 640,000 tons of iron ore to Germany, as against 2,250000 tons during the six months preceding the outbreak of the European conflict.
"Norway will defend her neutrality and the peace of the country until the end," he concluded. "This peace will allow Norway to help in the reconstruction of Finland,—Havas.
Polish Contingent Was Stockholm, Mar. 15.
While the Norwegian and Swedish Governments are examining Finland's plans for a defensive alliance, defence measures are being speeded up in all directions in Scandinavia. More than Finland is in peril it is felt The whole question of whether Finland, and perhaps Norway and Sweden, will be forced to become members of the Russo-German bloc, is satd to be at stake.
Public opinion is divided in Scandinavia in regard to the desirability of a defensive alliance. Oslo} according to Norwegian circles, will reject any defensive pact on the grounds that it will not help the situation, while in Sweden the idea is popular, Conclusion of the proposed alliance between Norway, Sweden and Finland is an urgent matter, declares the "Dagens Nyheter" today.
The newspaper expresses regret that it is impossible to include Denmark, because of her lack of resources and closeness to Germany, as the alliance requires an assurance that each member can perform its obligation.
Despite their disappointment with Sweden and Norway, says the "Stockholms-Tidningen," the Finns are not turning from Scandinavia, and refuse to enter the "Lebensraum" (living space) of any great Power.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.