Office of the Historian

740.0011 European War 1939/2000: Telegram

The Chargé in France (Murphy) to the Secretary of State

Paris, April 9, 1940—1 p.m.
[Received April 9—9:42 a.m.]

441. The French Government has just issued the following statement:

“Monsieur Paul Reynaud, President of the Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs, received Monsieur Bachke, the Norwegian Minister this morning at 11 o’clock and made the following statement to him:

(1)
The Government of the Reich has just published a declaration according to which the Reich has decided to undertake the protection of Norway and Denmark. This action is presented as a reply to the laying of mine fields in Norwegian territorial waters by the French and British navies yesterday.
(2)
The French Government has been informed that the German Minister at Oslo in a démarche made at 5 o’clock this morning asked the Oslo Government to abandon Norwegian territory to German military administration. The representatives of the Reich added that in case of refusal all resistance would be overcome. This demand was immediately rejected by the Norwegian Government. Subsequent information shows that German troops have already occupied Norwegian territory.
(3)
The German declaration, which presents the action of the Reich as a reply to the measures taken by the British and French Governments, will not deceive anyone, in [as?] operation involving the simultaneous debarkation of troops escorted by naval forces at numerous Norwegian ports could have been prepared only over a long period. The French Government is pleased that Norway had decided to resist the German aggression by force.
(4)
Monsieur Paul Reynaud made known to the Norwegian Minister that in view of the invasion of his country by Germany the French Government has decided to give immediate and complete aid to Norway and that it will carry forward the war in full association with his country.
(5)
The necessary military and naval measures have in consequence been taken in cooperation with the English.”

Murphy