Le Nord : revue internationale des Pays de Nord - 01.06.1939, Page 293
THE NEUTRALITY POLICY OF DENMARK 283
gyaphical position and of the pacific outlook of the Danish people,
The same policy was followed during the last war, and it was
then understood and recognized in all quarters. ¥e are confident
that this will also be the case if war should come again.
We realize that one cannot without modification draw con-
clusions from what happened in the last war to what may take
place if a similar war were to break out again. Still, the war of
1914—18 established certain facts, which may be taken as a basis.
Thus we know that one of the principal difficulties will be
°ur trade with England and Germany. During the war of 1914—
18 we kept up trade with both these countries. They were both
mterested in receiving foodstuffs from Denmark, and we could
jhus make trade agreements with both of them. If war should
break out, we shall endeavour to do the same again. Our aim will
be to preserve a similar ratio in our trade with them as that which
Ptevails under normal conditions.
In 1938 Denmark laid down the rules of neutrality to be
íollowed by her in the event of a war between other parties. Like
me rules of 19x2, they are based on the conventions of 1907. They
ate uniform with the rules of neutrality simultaneously issued by
^be three other Northern countries.
In 1939 Denmark concluded a non-aggression pact with Ger-
tuany, which presupposes that Denmark will follow the usual
rules of neutrality if Germany should be involved in a war.
When Denmark, like the other Northern countries, pursues a
consistent policy of neutrality, it is because she regards it as to
ber own interest to do so. Denmark has nothing to gain by allow-
lng herself to be involved in conflicts between other States, and
°nly harm could result to her from doing so. But we believe at
tnn same time that it is to the interest of all States that this policy
should be pursued by our countries and that it should be respected
by belligerents. If war should break out, in spite of the will to
Peace of the peoples and the efforts of statesmen, then the time
^hust also come, after the war is over, when fresh efforts must be
^Uade to reconcile the peoples of the belligerent States, to establish
an international order which can prevent the continued self-
uestruction of the nations, and to unite them in a common effort
t0 work for the welfare of humanity. When that day comes, it
^nl be of the greatest importance that there should be at least
s°tne nations which have not been involved in those passions
'wnich are engendered by war, and which tend to keep the belli-
§erent peoples apart even after the war has come to an end.