5 OCTOBER 1918, Page 3

A highly significant announcement was made last Sunday by the

Norwegian naval authorities. The territorial waters of Norway, off the south-western coast between Stavanger and Haugesund, are to be mined and "closed to ordinary traffic." It is well known that. the great British minefield across the North Sea touches the Norwegian three-mile limit, and that the enemy submarines have made their way northward through Norway's territorial waters. This passage will now, presumably, be closed to the U '-boats. Apart from its naval importance, the announcement shows that the Norwegians no longer feelit necessary to pay attention to Germany's wishes. The Germans, who have ridden roughshod over the little neutrals, are beginning.to find that a beaten bully inspires universal contempt