"The Ales, on the other hand, have never destroyed nor injured a single neutral ship, or taken a single neutral life, On the contrary, they have saved the lives of many innocent victims of these German outrages, and rescued from drowning airmen and submarine crews who had been guilty of the inhumanities in question "International Jaw has always recognized the right of a belligerent, when fis enemy systematically resorted {0 Allegal practices, to take action appropriate to the situation. Such action, even though not lawful In ordinary circumstances, becomes, and generally recognized to become, lawful in view of the other belligerent's violation of international law, The Allied Governments are entitled to take such action as they may deem proper in present circumstances. Whatever may be the actual policy which non-belligerent governments, by German threats and pressure, "are compelled to follow, the Allied Governments no longer can afford to acquiesce in the present state of affairs, whereby Germany obtains from Norway facilities which place the Allies at a dangerous dis-
According to authoritative circles, the mines fields are directed against Germany and' not against neutral countries.
The trade in iron ore between Narvik and Germany is expected to the seriously hampered, if not _completely stopped, but itis understood that the operation is directed against other German trades as well as that of iron trade, Information has reached England that German ships have avoided the British Contraband Control by shipping through territorial waters. German raiders are said to have also slipped out into the high seas in a similar manner, Tt is hoped that today's operation will prevent all this.
Authoritative circles further point out that the Allied action is in the Dest interests of neutrals themselves as well as of Great Britain' and
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.