Sweden's Neutrality Will Be Defended With Arms; Towns Evacuated, Raid Drill for People Stockholm, Apr. 13. WEDISH determination to maintain neutrality if possible but to resist any attempt on Sweden's independence was reaffirmed by the Premier, Per Albin Hanson, yesterday in a nationwide radio broadcast.
"We have- done everything to preserve our neutrality, he asserted, and we hope to be able to, maintain our independence by our own free will and action.
We cannot allow any country to use our territory for its own interests.
Fortunately we have received no such request, but if it were to come, we would be compelled to reject it.
"This period of trial," the Premier said, the most serious we have known in the past century.
The wi ris at our doors. We need not express our feelings toward our distressed neighbour. We ourselves are closely interested.
We are determined to retain our freedom, our land and our honour.
Swedish defences, the Premier added, must be increased even if such action entails difficulties in the industrial life of the county. As a final warning, he told the Swedish people: "Do not circulate. rumours of propaganda, We are watching to prevent those who serve foreign interests from harming our country."
The altitude of the Swedish press land radio is. severely criticized in German official circles, according to the Berlin correspondent of the Attonbladet." This. attitude is considered a breach of neutrality, an example of which, it is pointed! out in Berlin, is the statement made in Stockholm by Mr. C. J. Hambro, Pres~ dent of the Norwegian Parliament. The speech Mr. Hambro was to have delivered to the Norwegian people ast night was called. off at. the: re-{quest of the German Consul in Stock-
Nazi Wan ngs Given Sweden Amsterdam, Apr. 13.
In Berlin political circles earned that further serious warnings are being given to Sweden.
"A German spokesman last night said Sweden's immediate future depended Jon her forbidding everything that German Colonel Shot On Hitler's Order Paris, Apr. 13.
Colonel Felix von Bichhorn, Star 'OMcer of the 7th Department of the German War Ministry, was arrested and shot upon Herr Hitler's orders on April 9 for having denounced Germany's action against the Seandinay-Tan states, "Lo Petit Parisien" reported today.
The Colonel said Germany's action meant a self-blockade of the Reich and would result in the destruction of her war economy. Tt would be branded again og a crime of the German people who will have to pay for it later, he added, The Colonel was sent to the Moabit Prison upon Hitler's. personal, order and shot the following doy in the prison yard—Havas.
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