4 SEPTEMBER 1936, Page 2

Norway and M. Trotsky The Government of Norway is to

be congratulated on its solution of the difficulties provoked by the presence of -M. Trotsky in that country. M. Trotsky is a guest in Norway, having promised that he would not indulge in political activities. But he is too confirmed a revolu- tionary not to have broken his promise ; and since the recent trial in Moscow the Government of the U.S.S.R. has demanded his expulsion. Fortunately, Norway has not allowed the hospitality it extends to exiles to be disturbed either by the -U.S.S.R. or by its own very natural uneasiness at M. Trotsky's presence. He is a distinguished but very troublesome guest to entertain ; and if he were to be expelled there is no civilised country to which he could go. It is somewhat humiliating to realise that, in contemporary Europe, there is no Government which can tolerate the presence of M. Trotsky, who, whatever may be thought of his subversive activities, will live in history as one of the most notable political figures of today. In Norway he is to be interned, under strict supervision, which will hamper that revolutionary activity which he declines to abandon but can be prevented from exercising. In deciding to curb his activities rather than expel him Norway has clearly taken the right course.