QUISLING IN DOCK

Evening Star, Issue 25495, 28 May 1945, Page 5

QUISLING IN DOCK

PRELIMINARY HEARING OF CHARGES REMANDED UNTIL AUGUST (ißec. 8 a.m.) RUGBY, May 26. Vidkun Quisling began the battle for his life to-day in a courtroom in Oslo, where he marched defiantly to the dock, states an American broadcast from Oslo. After routine questions Quisling was asked what his occupation was before 1940. He hesitated and mumbled something. " Weren't you an officer in the Norwegian army?" asked the judge, and Quisling replied, " Yes." Five lengthy accusations against Quisling stated in brief that ho gave aid to the enemy, that he violated the Norwegian civil and criminal law, that he attempted to mobilise the Norwegians against Russia, Britain, and that he was an accessory to the death of another, and that he had not intervened when Norway's police chief was senteiioed t0 4 be executed for not arresting Norwegian women who refused to register under the Nazi labour laws. Quisling was asked if he understood these accusations, and he answered, " Yes. but I'm not guilty.'/ The judge then began to cross-examine him, cit-

ing radio talks and published statements and Quisling edicts. Quisling protested he was only doing his duty in all he had done.

' " What do you mean by your duty?" asked the ujdge. " Well," Quisling replied, " I was the only party official left in when the Germans came. Somebody had to take over the Government."

Asked what assurance he had that he represented the Norwegian people, Quisling was silent. He made evasive answers about the number of members in the Norwegian Nazi Party, and gave a rambling, evasive answer when asked if lie had any connection with the Germans before April 9, 1940. He defended the German invasion of Norway as the best thing that could have happened for the country. He also said he worked to keep Norway neutral, and that he had worked for free Norway throughout the last five years. When asked if he had anything further to say, he exclaimed: " It's a shame for Norway the way I have been treated for five years. I have fought for my country, and now I am put Tin gaol." . Quisling, when the ]iidge asked it the accusations were true, said they were basically true, but were not the whole truth. Quisling was remanded tor trial on August 2.5, the delay being necessary for" the State to collect definite evidence against him.