Oslo, Feb. 17.
The Norwegian Government has protested "most strongly and energetically" to London on the Altmark incident, it is announced here. The incident is described as a "violation" of Norwegian territorial waters.
The protest demands compensation and the return of the prisoners, An official statement issued by the Norwegian Foreign Office states: "On the afternoon of February 16, the German steamer Altmark was passing through Norwegian territorial waters under escort of a Norwegian torpedo-boat. At 430 pin. two British destroyers fired warning shots and tried to stop the Altmark. The commander of the Norwegian torpedo-boat protested, and the Altmark entered Josing fjord, A British destroyer followed it. After renewed protest by ihe Norwegian torpedo-boat, the British destroyer left the fjord, but shortly afterwards a British cruiser and five destroyers appeared inside the three-mile limit, "Shortly afterwards one of the destroyers sailed near the coast and made use of its searchlights. The vessel suddenly entered the fjord and removed a number of prisoners from the Altmark and sailed awa "The small Norwegian torpedo-boat, which had been rejoined by another torpedo-boat, again protested, but could do nothing against superior British, power, "Today, the Norwegian Government has asked the Norwegian Legation in "London to inform the British Government of the episode and to lodge a serious protest against this violation of the neutrality of Norway.
"The Legation has been ordered to demand that the British Navy be instructed to respect Norwegian neutrality and to state that the Norwegian Government expects compensation and satisfaction, and also that the prisoners be handed over."
The Norwegian Prime Minister, who is at present acting as Minister for Foreign Affairs, conferred with the British Minister and expressed "the horror and indignation felt the Norwegian Government at this gross violation of Norway's neutral. ity."—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.