Opposition Of Unyielding Norsemen

Northern Advocate, 9 May 1941, Page 5

Opposition Of Unyielding Norsemen

[British Official Wireless! (Rec. 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, May 8. Secret German military documents captured during the British and Norwegian raid on the Lofoten Islands on March 4 provide the clearest evidence —which its source makes incontrovertible —of the unyielding opposition of the Norwegians to Nazi influence, and the failure of the Nazi and Quisling efforts to subvert. their national loyalties. The , documents are published as a White Paper, the foreword to which says: “Everywhere there is evidence of the frank recognition of the extent of active Norwegian opposition. Stiffen Against Germans “The final documents, signed by the German Commander-in-Chief in Norway (General von Falkenhorst) himself, describes how the temper and attitude of the Norwegian population recently stiffened against German endeavours. The Lofoten Islanders had since then given further proof of the spirit of the Norwegians. “Together with other subject peoples they will continue to resist the Nazis until Hitler is overthrown.”

The first document is a report from the military commander in Norway dated September 28. which reveals, “Neither the Executive Council or other political groups are in a position or even desire to assume in a responsible way the government of Norway,” and that all the organisations remain “proEnglish and consequently anti-Ger-man,” and that the Norwegian people or leaders are “in no position to fulfil the demands of the new era.” Freedom in Shackles After announcing that the country would be placed under military control, the commander orders increasing severity in Press control.

The second document outlines such methods of control and forms a telling indictment of similar control exercise' within the Reich itself. “The foremost task of the Press is to be an instrument of political leadership,” the document says. “The fear of foreign criticism is evident in the ban on copying without permission announcements from foreign Press sources.” Freedom is again specifically mentioned in a later document in connection with the banning of listening to foreign news broadcasts. While editors must give full support to measures taken in Norwegian domestic politics, an order which cannot be read without an ironical smile is that stating that everything written on "foreign policy” must respect treaties and agreements of the Reich with other countries. Oral Orders Only. The core of the press control orders —the clearest possible indication of German fears and the clearest possible admission of* weakness —is the insistence that the instructions of 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 document states. The next document, containing instructions for the collaboration of the military authorities with the Gestapo, reveals military anxiety that the whole odium of Nazi oppression should fall on the Gestapo, and states that the Norwegian police must, wherever possible, be summoned to carry out whatever measures are decided.

Army “People’s Friend.” Anxiety is underlined in the fourth document signed by von Falkenhorst and cited in the foreword, which makes it clear that the army, as the principal agent in the setting up of the “new order,” is to ingratiate itself with the population. If, however, the latter shows resistance the military must strike “ruthlessly and with severe measures.”

Monotonously ‘ recurring routine of the • Gestapo oppression and suppression is seen in the orders forbidding the listening to foreign radio news and the possession of wireless sets by Jews, the playing of the Norwegian national anthem or the display of flags on the birthday of the former king. Preachers Suppressed Subversive preaching by ministers of religion either in the pulpit or at the graveside is included in a list of offences. Preachers in all such cases, however, are ordered to report to the Gestapo. Clearly the Nazis find strong religious instincts among their fellow Nordics a strong stumbling block and the desire to respect them is only there so long as it suits them. The series of documents not only brings out the cold, cynical calculation of the Gestapo methods, but also the uneasiness in the minds of the. guilty oppressors, which must inevitably grow as the inconvertible facts of the oppression are made known throughout the countries still free.