serious reaction by the USA and The United States and British Britain”. governments ostensibly agreed to view any attempt to hinder joining Norway’s the Atlantic Pact as a serious threat to world peace. (Daily Telegraph, 15 and 16 February; Daily Graphic, 17 February). The press remarked that talks with Bevin were Lange’s “exploratory in and that no official decisions were expected. nature”, The situation did not change after talks with Acheson. Lange’s It would not be surprising if, after trip to Washington, the Lange’s inclination of the Norwegian Government to return to a policy of a neutral Scandinavian bloc were to be strengthened. In spite of this, Lange will continue to insist upon participation Norway’s in an Atlantic Pact. If Lange receives assurance that Britain, if Bevin’s necessary, will afford Norway rapid and effective military assistance, then it may be assumed that the Norwegian Government will agree with Lange. The British position vis-à-vis the Scandinavian bloc has never been officially declared. What is known is that London would prefer that Norway and Denmark join the Atlantic Pact, whilst at the same time realising the situation these countries are in; it therefore does not intend to exert any overt pressure upon them. It is completely out of the question that Britain on its own without – the United States might give Norway any guarantees. (Observer, 13 February; – Daily Graphic, 14 February). The United States committed a grave error in proposing that a small, perilously located country enter into a military agreement in which the United States itself is not a participant, thereby turning visit into a Lange’s campaign. As a result of this, Norway has stumbled into an even more difficult situation than it was previously in. Russia is applying pressure on it for a pact. America is threatening to exclude Norway from receiving military supplies if it does not sign up to the Atlantic Pact, whilst at the same
serious reaction by the USA and Britain”. The United States and British governments ostensibly agreed to view any attempt to hinder Norway’s joining the Atlantic Pact as a serious threat to world peace. (Daily Telegraph, 15 and 16 February; Daily Graphic, 17 February). The press remarked that Lange’s talks with Bevin were “exploratory in nature”, and that no official decisions were expected. The situation did not change after Lange’s talks with Acheson. It would not be surprising if, after Lange’s trip to Washington, the inclination of the Norwegian Government to return to a policy of a neutral Scandinavian bloc were to be strengthened. In spite of this, Lange will continue to insist upon Norway’s participation in an Atlantic Pact. If Lange receives Bevin’s assurance that Britain, if necessary, will afford Norway rapid and effective military assistance, then it may be assumed that the Norwegian Government will agree with Lange. The British position vis-à-vis the Scandinavian bloc has never been officially declared. What is known is that London would prefer that Norway and Denmark join the Atlantic Pact, whilst at the same time realising the situation these countries are in; it therefore does not intend to exert any overt pressure upon them. It is completely out of the question that Britain on its own – without the United States – might give Norway any guarantees. (Observer, 13 February; Daily Graphic, 14 February). The United States committed a grave error in proposing that a small, perilously located country enter into a military agreement in which the United States itself is not a participant, thereby turning Lange’s visit into a campaign. As a result of this, Norway has stumbled into an even more difficult situation than it was previously in. Russia is applying pressure on it for a pact. America is threatening to exclude Norway from receiving military supplies if it does not sign up to the Atlantic Pact, whilst at the same