740.0011 European War 1939/2072: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Sterling) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 10—3:21 p.m.]
194. The public is calm but the situation is realized to be very serious. Troop movements to the south are reported. A state of partial air defense preparedness for all Sweden was declared today. Evacuation in large numbers from Norway to Sweden has begun.
It is generally believed the German troops now in Norway were shipped in cargo vessels some time before British mine laying of Norwegian waters. Gunther tells me he has no doubt that this is true so far as Trondhjem and Narvik are concerned.
One newspaper carries an eyewitness story that a German factory whaling vessel docked last Monday evening at Narvik when two Norwegian customs officers who came on board to inspect were kidnapped and held until after German troops concealed in the hold were landed at daylight the next morning.
The press unites in condemning German aggression in Denmark and Norway.