GERMAN METHODS IN NORWAY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 191, 10 May 1941, Page 12

GERMAN METHODS IN NORWAY

People Resist Nazis CLEAREST EVIDENCE CAPTURED

(British Official Wireloss.)

RUGBY, May .8.

Secret German military documents captured during the British and Norwegian raid on the Lofoten Islands on March 4 provide the dearest evidence—which its source makes incontrovertible —of the unyielding opposition of the Norwegians to Nazi influence and the failure of the Nazi and Quislingist efforts to subvert their national loyalties.

The documents are published as a White Paper, t lie foreword to which says: “Everywhere there is evidence of the frank recognition of the extent of active Norwegian opposition. In the final document, signed by General von Falkenhorst, German Commander-In-Chief in Norway, he himself describes how ‘the temper and attitude of the Norwegian population have recently stiffened against our endeavours.’ That was in last December. The Lofo-

ten islanders since then have given further proof of the spirit of the Norwegians. Together with other subject peoples, they will continue to resist tlie Nazis till Hitler is overthrown.” Remain Pro-English. The first document Is a report from the military commander in Norway, dated September 28, which reveals that "neither the Executive Council nor other political groups are in a position, or even desire, to assume in a responsible way the government of Norway,” that all' organizations remain “proEuglish and consequently antl-Ger-nian,” and that the Norwegian people or leaders are “in no position to fulfil the demands of the new era.”

After announcing that the country would be placed under military control, the commander orders increasing severity of Press control. The second document outlines the methods of such control, and forms a telling indictment of the similar control exercised within the Keich itself. “The foremost task of the Press is to be*as an instrument of political leadership.” Fear of foreign criticism Is evident in the ban on the copying, without permission, of announcements from foreign Press sources, “even and specially from the Danish and Swedish Press.” (Sweden is again specifically mentioned in a later document in connexion with the banning of listening to foreign news broadcasts.)

While editors must give full support to the measures taken in Norwegian domestic politics, an order which cannot be read without an ironical smile i.s that which states that everything written on foreign iwlicy “must respect the treaties and agreements of the Keich with other countries.” Press Control Orders.

The core of the Press control orders -the clearest possible indication of German fears and the clearest possible admission of weakness —is insistence that the instructions to editors should be oral only. "In no circumstances must these instructions be made public, nor must the fact that such have been given to editors become known in any way.” The next document, containing instructions for the collaboration of the military authorities with the Gestapo, reveals the military anxiety that the whole odium of Nazi oppression should fall on the Gestapo, and states that the Norwegian police must, whenever possible, be summoned to carry out whatever measures are decided on. This anxiety is underlined in the fourth document, signed by General von Falkenhorst and cited in the forewrn'tl,* which makes it clear that the army, as the principal agent in setting up the “new order,” is to ingratiate itself’ with the population. If. however, the latter shows resistance, the military must strike “ruthlessly and with the severest measures.” The monotonously recurring routine of Gestapo oppression and suppression is seen in orders forbidding listening to foreign radio news, the possession of wireless sets by Jews, the playing of the Norwegian National Anthem ami the displays of flags on the birthday of the “former” King. “Subversive” Preaching.

The list of offences in itself is a revelation of the anti-Germau feeling which is current. A typical example is: -Subversive preaching by ministers or religion, either in the pulpit or at the graveside.” In regard to preachers, however, the only action ordered is to report to the Gestapo, dearly . the Nazis find the strong religious instincts among their fellow-Xordics a serious stumbling block, and desire to respect them so long as it suits them. The series of these documents not only brings out the cold and cynical calculation of the Gestapo methods, but also the uneasiness in the mind of the guilty oppressors which must inevitably grow as incontrovertible facts of oppressions are made known throughout the countries which trie still free. The Press Association states that many citizens of Kristiansund were forced to spend the whole winter m fishing boats because German bombers set fire to their bouses last summer. No official attempt was made to replace the TOO houses destroyed. A reconstruction plan submitted to Quisling by the Minister of the Interior was merely sent to Germany “for approval. The damage in Krisfiansuud is estimated at £5.000,000. nearly a quarter of the total war damage in Norway.

I;v special arrangement Reuter's world service in addition to other special sources of information, is used in the compilation of (he overseas intelligence published m this issue, and all rights therein in Australia and New Zealand are reserved.