The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1940. THE CUNNING NAZI.

Evening Star, Issue 23553, 17 April 1940, Page 6

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 1940. THE CUNNING NAZI.

No particular reason is apparent why the article in the Chicago ‘ Daily News,’ sent by Mr Leyland Stowe from Stockholm, should be treated with reserve. It tells an amazing story of the extent to which Nazi duplicity and conspiracy undermined at the outset organised Norwegian resistance to the invasion, and, even after allowances have been made for the possibility that some details of the report have been heightened to suit American journalism, it must be admitted that on general lines Mr Stowe’s revelations coincide with previously revealed Nazi technique. The capture of Oslo and some of the other seaports, it is now made clear, was facilitated by bribery, infiltration of Nazi agents, and the treason of a few highly-placed army and civilian officials. It is now easier to understand why Norway’s decision to fight was for some time in the balance and why the Government at first asked the Storting for powers to negotiate an agreement with Germany. Negotiation with Germany was, of course, precisely what the Nazis had been striving for, and it was only the gallant sacrifice of a handful of Norwegian soldiers who at great loss repulsed Germans pursuing King Haakon that turned the whole tide of events. Viewed from any angle, therefore, Nazi aggression in Norway was doomed to failure.

The problem of this form of intrigue, however, may yet have to be dealt with in other countries. As the war drags on the United States is becoming more seriously concerned, not only over her own defence deficiencies, but also because of the knowledge that Nazi propaganda and the infiltration of agents are not confined to European countries. It is now more obvious than ever to the Administration that it is carrying considerable responsibility for the sanctity of the Latin-Amerjcan States as well as its own. Whatever views they may hold on “isolation,” there is not the slightest doubt that senators and congressmen know well enough where their first line of defence lies and what countries are occupying it. In both the United States and South America the German colonist or the foreign citizen of German extraction has been used for Nazi purposes, generally through threats to his relatives living in the Reich. Then again, the number of men attached to some of the legations in Scandinavian countries has been nothing less than ludicrous, and in the Balkans the distinction between business man, diplomat, journalist, and spy seems Virtually to have disappeared inside German offices.

Perhaps it is Sweden that at the moment will have .to take, the liveliest measures against the “ Brown International.” Already the Swedish Government is reported to have thwarted a Nazi coup aimed at the seizure of “ nerve centres ” throughout the country. According to the latest figures available, the German, Legation in Stockholm has no fewer than 100 employees—about five times as many as the British Legation. The work of these officials is supplemented by the mobilised efforts of the German colony of Sweden; the largest foreign colony in the . country. . ' On the flimsiest excuses organisations are formed, and there seems little doubt that most of these are in close contact with the German Ministry of Propaganda. In its general trend the propaganda seeks to discredit. the Allies and sow distrust between the Swedish people and their Government. Recently the Goebbels “ lie factory ” has been busy spreading rumours of both British and Russian threats to Sweden, doubtless with the object of driving the Swedes ' politically and economically into the German sphere. It is reported, however, that it was once so intent on spreading anti-Fin-nish propaganda in Sweden- that it overlooked the fact that the effect was at the same time'being spoiled by the dissemination of anti-Swedish propaganda in Finland. This is another example of how the Nazis are overstepping themselves.