Storm Warnings

Trawling in close order through the choppy Skagerrak off the northwest tip of Denmark early one morning last week, five Swedish fishing vessels sighted three dark shapes approaching. The Swedes knew they were in international waters, knew their hulls were a bright blue and gold, knew their flags were flying. They saw that the newcomers were German minesweepers.

Some 50 yards away and without warning the Germans opened fire. Two trawlers burst into flame and sank; three escaped. Twelve men drowned. The Swedish Government protested, demanding assurances and compensation.

The German answer was swift and hard: the waters were prohibited; the fact that someone had tampered with the buoys the Germans had set out the day before made no difference; future trespassers would get the same treatment. Then the German radio told the world that the Swedes were showing an unneutral attitude, behaving like enemies. The same day, at Stockholm Stadium, thousands of Swedes cheered a Danish team, roared out Denmark's anthem.

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