GERMAN RULE IN OSLO

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23000, 20 April 1940, Page 11

GERMAN RULE IN OSLO

Efforts for Puppet Government RESISTANCE BY NORWEGIANS (BRITISH OrllClil WIEEEBSS.) (Received April 19, 8 p.m.) RUGBY, April 18. Speaking of the situation in Scandinavia, the Financial Secretary to the War Office (Sir Edward Grigg) referred to the treachery by which the Germans had managed to effect their entry into Oslo. Faked orders, he said, were sent to the commanders of troops and batteries. The only resistance made to the German ships was by accident, but so effective was it that it was easy to realise how much the Norwegian people had lost by treachery. In spite of this and in spite of the consequent loss of strong points, supplies, and equipment, the Norwegian military command was making a gallant resistance to German pressure.

The Allies had already landed forces at several points and these would be increased with all possible rapidity. “You must not, however, expect decisive results at the pace at which things move in the cinema,” he added. “War is not like that. Results are not secured without careful planning and organisatJO “Norway. fortunately for the defenders, is extremely broken and hard to traverse, and the northern part is still deep in snow. Action,

therefore, is bound at first to take the form of guerrilla warfare, and news will perforce come slowly. But we have no reason to be dissatisfied with the way in which events have turned since April 9, and we have every confidence that we shall prove before long to be decisive gainers by Germany’s perfidious Norwegian adventure.” Herr Hitler’s Threat The resistance of the Norwegian population, according to information reaching authoritative circles in London, has surprised the Germans, who tried every means to establish a provisional Government which would accept German terms. They were willing to sacrifice the Quisling Government for this purpose. It is reliably stated that the Norwegian Minister in Berlin (Mr A. Scheel) had been twice summoned by Herr Hitler, who described Norway’s attitude as incomprehensible, and declared that unless King Haakon was immediately induced to accept the German terms he would let loose a campaign of terror which would be carried through without regard for any humanity., Direct information from Oslo, since received, indicates that the German authorities are nervous and are threatening to shoot indiscriminately unless terms are reached without delay. The Bishop of Oslo