The decision of the Allies to withdraw from Narvik is, in the circumstances, undoubtedly a wise one, but it is to be regretted that this has also necessitated the capitulation of the Norwegian forces. They can in no way be blamed, for the Allies are obliged to concentrate their efforts in France and to devote all their material to defeating the enemy there, That the port of Narvik will be available for the transport of Swedish iron ore to Germany is to be doubted, for the harbour itself~has been reported to have been completely destroyed, and it will be a very long time before it can be put into such a state as to handle cargoes which were always greater than those which could be exported through Lulea in the Gulf of Bothnia, while the Allied blockade should be able to prevent any shipments from Narvik, because of the ability now completely to disregard Norwegian rights over territorial waters which no longer exist. The Allies were quite right in refusing to commit themselves to what might have proved a highly expensive side show. It was obviously part of Herr Hitler's strategy to entice the Allies to send powerful forces into Norway thereby diverting them from the more important theatre of war in France, and refusal of the Allied command to fall into any such trap has led to Herr Hitlers plans going woefully awry in that respect, For the manner in which the Norwegian army fought the invaders, despite the initial advantages which the latter gained by reason of treachery and treason, there can be nothing but the highest praise. They have fought against heavy odds With a courage and tenacity which covers them with infinite honour and their gallantry has written a golden page in the history of a traditionally brave nation, They may rest assured that when the Allies have brought this struggle to a successful issue those rights and liberties which are indubitably theirs will be restored to them. It is for that that they fought and for which the Allies will continue to fight For a period Norway may suffer eclipse, but the sun will shine again, and all the brighter for the intrepidity her sons have shown,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.