Media should emulate legend of Danish king’s wartime gesture

IT is surprising to find Denmark at the centre of the international furore over the cartoons that have inflamed Muslim opinion because it has traditionally been one of those countries least associated with religious intolerance.

In fact, it is one of the last countries that one would think about in this context, especially in the light of its record during World War II.

When the Germans invaded on April 9, 1940, they promised to respect the country’s political independence if no resistance was offered. The government and King Christian X knew they were no match for the Germans militarily, so they put up no resistance.