TREASON DENIED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20259, 29 May 1940, Page 12

TREASON DENIED

PLIGHT OF NORWAY GERMANS RESPONSIBLE FAKE ORDERS RAMPANT False orders sent to Norwegian military officers by German agents were responsible for confusion in the defence of that country during the first impact of the Nazi invasion, and not treason among army officers and sabotage.

The Norwegian Legation at Washington. the New York Times says, made public a report from the Norwegian Legation in Stockholm in view of statements from Norway and Sweden that treachery in the Norwegian army was a major factor in the early successes of the German troops. Repeated fake orders, the Legation at Stockholm said, were sent to the troops of General Carl Johan Erichscn, chief of the First Division in South-eastern Norway, stating that tire Government wanted them to surrender. The material issued by the Legation included a denial by General Erichscn of the reports of treachery, which read as follows: “An article published in the Svenska Pagbladet on April 16, under the

heading ‘Treason in Askim and Myssen,’ contains grave accusations.against the Norwegian troops which operated in Askim and Myssen. . It is stated, among other things, that 1 they were led by treacherous officers, that the soldiers hadn’t anything' to eat since Tuesday last week (seven days), and that the soldiers had never had an opportunity to light for their country, etc.

“I wish to state that this information docs not contain a single word of truth. In these days, when we Norwegians are living through such terrible happenings, it is to be deeply regretted that our burden should be increased by rumours which are entirely without foundation in fact. These rumours must be regarded as a part of the strong propaganda which is being conducted by the enemy in order to destroy us by such ipeans as well.” . •’ • • - ;■' The cabled report by the Norwegian Legation in Stockholm said: — “Sensational rumours of treason and sabotage must be received with the greatest reservation. In military quarters confusion was created by reports which were issued in the' name of the Government, not only from Oslo but also from other telegraph stations, until it became clear to the individual commanders that false reports had been sent. “Thus, repeated reports were sent to General Erichsen’s troops stating that the Government had ordered them to surrender. “Great damage was also caused by a false order instructing the Nor-

wegian troops not to shoot in order to prevent provocations but wait until the Germans attacked. Certain detachments were thereby placed in a position where they could not defend themselves before it was too late.

“When the German warships passed Agdenes (fortified) on their way to Trondheim, this was made possible by the fact that they had taken along a large number of Norwegian fishing boats and small steamers so the fort could not shoot without massacring Norwegian vessels. During the uncertainty which arose in this manner in the dark night the Germans got in. “When the fort at Hegre fired at the Norwegian train, it was because a German agent at Trondheim had express-telegraphed to the commander stating that German troops were on the train.

“Many such instances might be mentioned. The German propaganda utilises all sorts of rumours to create distrust in the Norwegian fighting spirit. L'

“The sudden attack which occurred simultaneously all over the country placed the Norwegian defence forces in an extremely difficult situation, but the people’s will to defend itself is strong and asserts itself in a bitterly waged resistance wherever defence can be organised. The Norwegian High Command is bending all its strength toward a tough and tenacious fight.”