TENSION GROWING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 305, 7 October 1942, Page 3

TENSION GROWING

CONDITIONS IN DENMARK.

GRUDGING NAZI ADMISSION. “NO GROUNDS FOR COMPLAINT.” (N.Z. Press Association—Copvright). (Rec. 10.5 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 6. The tension in Copenhagen is growing. The guards around the Palace have been quadrupled- The Danish Parliament met to-day and the Premier (Dr. Buhl) appealed to the Danish people to act with commonsense and to preserve the orderly and quiet conditions in what he called “these critical times for our country.” According to the Berlin radio, Dr. Buhl declared that Denmark’s nonbelligerency would ho maintained, and added that Denmark wants to co-oper-ate in Germany’s New Order in Europe. Denmark’s interests require that the Danes act in a spirit of collaboration and prudence, and that settled conditions should prevail. The Danish Chief of Police (Liner Mellerup) has warned the people of Copenhagen not to gather in streets or to hamper the police who are arresting rioters. More forceful metlious will be used if this warning is ignored. The Berlin radio said: “The reports of tension in Denmark are treated with the utmost reserve in German political circles, but tilings in Denmark are not going as might have been expected from the correct: attitude displayed by' German quarters. The exemplary conduct of all Germans in Deti'rark couid give no grounds for complaint. Evidently certain Danish circles stood this attitude. Tlie fact that Danes who risked their lives as volunteers to fight against Bolshevism were treated on their return with disdain, even jeers, lias given a very bad impression.”

NAZIS TIGHTENING CONTROL. LONDON, Oct. 5. Although Reuter’s correspondent reports that a last-minute compromise between Germany and Denmark has momentarily saved Denmark from the, same fate as Norway, dispatches from Stockholm state that diplomatic relations between the two countries are more tense than they have been since Denmark was overrun. The German Minister to Copenhagen (von Renthe-Fink) returned to Berlin, after which King Christian recalled the Danish Minister to Berlin (Mr A, Mohr) “for consultations.” German circles say that RentheFink’s. return is the outcome of King Christian’s action in replying to Hitler’s fullsome seventy-second birthday congratulations with a curt “Thanks, Christian.” It is reported however, that King Christian sent a, letter to Hitler amplifying his. telegram of thanks. The Stockholm corespondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says: “The Ger-mans-actually have a far more sinister reason for picking a quarrel with Denmark. Hitler intends to produce a European charter proclaiming the voluntary alliance of all members of the Axis and their satellites against Russia and -the Allies. Hiter has already demanded that King Christian shall sign the charter, backed by a ithreat that the Gestapo will take over Denmark, and govern it on the same lines as Norway and the other occupied countries.” The Stockholm correspondent of “Daily Express” says: “It is be‘lieved that. Hitler intends to put Denmark under the control of Fritz Clausen, the Danish Nazi leader. The police chief at Copenhagen warned the public to keep calm and not to be shocked if - something happened. Armed members of the Danish Nasi Free Corps, unexpectedly sent back from the Russian front, are swaggering through Copenhagen’s streets and cafes, seeking opportunities for shootings, iu two of which- there were 28 victims.” i

General Ludeke, commander of the German troops in Denmark, who is said to oppose interference in Danish domestic affairs, has been replaced by General Heydeberck, who has been given wider powers and orders to cooperate fully with the Gestapo chief Kianstein.