GREAT WELCOME

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25202, 15 May 1945, Page 5

GREAT WELCOME

PRINCE OLAF IN OSLO REHABILITATING NORWAY (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 14 A big British naval squadron anchored in Oslo Harbour, Norway, shortly after noon on Sunday, and the city made preparations to give the crews a great welcome when they stepped ashore. At the quayside and in the streets the people crowded the dock area; The Oslo correspondent of the British United Press says 4000 "Red Devils" of the British First Airborne Division, with a kilted pipe band, formed the guard of honour for Crown Prince Ola!" on his return to Norway. He was welcomed by 250,000 Norwegians and there was a parade of two miles through Oslo to the Palace, which was Quisling's headquarters after the Royal Family left five years ago. Travelled In British Cruiser The Prince, accompanied by the Minister of Defence, M. Torp, the Minister of Commerce, M. Neilson, and the Minister of Justice, M. Void, travelled to Norway in a British convoy consisting of the cruiser Devonshire, four destroyers and six minesweepers. "The Norwegian merchant fleet will help the Allies in the Pacific war," said Prince Olaf. addressing a press conference in Oslo. He added that nothing had been decided so far about Norway sending troops to fight Japan.

Crown Prince of Norway "My first superficial impression from driving through the streets of Oslo," he said, replying to a question, "is that my people are better fed and clothed than I dared to hope." Prince Olaf said the death sentence would be demanded for traitors who allied themselves with Quisling when they appeared before the Norwegian Supreme Court. Strike Truce Agreement The former Oslo Chief of Police, Kristian Welander, who spent two years in German prisons, has resumed his old post. The Norwegian Trades Union Congress and the Employers' Federation have agreed to a year's strike truce to enable Norway to return to normal economic life. Strikes are forbidden and wages are pegged at the 1940 level, plus the increased cost of living allowance. All disputes will be referred to a special Arbitration Court. TRACING FORTUNES HIDDEN NAZI ASSETS MORE TREASURES FOUND LONDON, May 13 Financial authorities from the British Military Government in Germany are already tracking down the fortunes of the Nazi leaders and officials which were hidden at home or abroad, states Renter's correspondent with the British Second Army. He added that much of the five years' pillage was coming to light. Eighteen giant packing cases, full of jewellery and other valuables, worth hundreds of thousands and possibly millions of pounds, have been found so far hidden in cellars in the Second Army area. Thus is mostly the property of Dutch and Jewish families. Colonel Peter Stampe, a banker in peacetime and now financial chief of the British Military Government, stated that blocking control was already established, with a view to the total eradication of all Nazi assets in finance and real estate in Germany or abroad. Foreign exchange and property controls were also operating, under which the authorities hoped to uncover devious underground means whereby the Germans had transferred their assets abroad.

LOOTED ART TREASURES GOERING'S GLOATING (Reed. 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, May 14 Huge piles of priceless paintings and other art treasures looted by the Germans are lying in Neuschwanstein Cast le, says the Associated Press correspondent with the Seventh Army. There are statues, silverware and jewels, of which the authorities are trying to find the owners. Among the paintings are works by Rembrandt, Reynolds and van Dyck. Some are believed to be from the King of Belgium's collection. Goering, in a four-page ietter to Rosenberg, dated November 21, 1944, enthused over the beauty of the art objects he "found" in France, and offered the full strength of the Luftwaffe to remove them to Germany. Ho emphasised that they were for the private glorification of himself and Hitler. There were to be two museums, one honouring Hitler and the other Goering, to be presented to the German people on Goering's 60th birthday. ALLIES ARMIES LINK (Reni. 0.30 p.m.) LONDON. May 14 The American Fifth Army, penetrating the Simplon Pass from Italy, has reached the Swiss frontier at Brig. The American Seventh Army has linked up with the Eighth Army in Italy, and also with the Red Army. The Sofia radio announced that the Bulgarian Army has linked up with the British Eighth Army.