740.0011 European War 1939/2100: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:37 p.m.]
924. There is at present no uniformity in the reports of the reaction in Germany to the recent occupation by Germany of Norway and Denmark. Even accounts of opinion in official circles vary and although the version offered is that the German action was necessary owing to the plans of the Allies and that military preparations by Germany had recently been proceeding with only such plans in view, there is disagreement in the accounts as to the extent of the alleged counteraction as envisaged by the Germans as well as regarding the actual part played by the laying of the British mines in territorial waters in precipitating German action. Important officials of the Foreign Office are quoted as saying without regard to the time and distance elements involved that action against Norway as finally taken was determined upon only a day or two before the British operations were carried out, that it was regarded as a great risk on the part of Germany, that the occupation of Denmark was a military necessity to protect the lines of communication with Norway and that an indication of the suddenness of the decision may be found in the fact that the highest German military authorities were ignorant of the actual move until the last moment.
All officials are reflecting complete confidence in the success of the German arms especially now that they claim immunity from interference in the north and although they are noncommittal on the question of an attack in the west or of an extension of activity in the southeast they profess absolute assurance that the war will shortly be terminated and that peace will come before the end of the year. It is on the basis of that assurance that the tendency is noted to discount, even, the factor of the part which the United States might be expected eventually to take in a war.
Public reaction in Germany is equally confused. There is noticeable an element of pride in the achievement as portrayed in the press and satisfaction over the blow to the Allies which this latest German move is characterized as having inflicted. From the scanty reports received from outlying districts especially in northern Germany the emphasis in the minds of the people is placed on the increase of food supplies and iron ore for Germany which this latest development is believed to secure with the corresponding disadvantage in the decrease of the same supplies to England and on the added advantage that Germany will now be in a position to insist on receiving those supplies from the north with the minimum export of German coal which has hitherto been used as payment. Although similar reactions are detected in [Page 156] Berlin also there are indications that these last events even in the favorable aspect in which they are presented to the public have caused a certain anxiety as to consequences both military and political as well as economic which they may portend and this anxiety is said to be especially noticeable among industrialists and bankers.