857.01/19: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 27—6:45 p.m.]
1159. My 1104, April 25, 10 a.m.24 The special news service of DNB25 has just released the text of an edict signed by Hitler and dated April 24 establishing the administrative structure for the German-occupied areas in Norway. The preamble thereof reads as follows:
“The Nygaardsvold Government by its proclamations and conduct and by the military fighting actions which are taking place according to its will has created a state of war between Norway and the German Reich. In order to insure public order and public life in the Norwegian territories which are under the protection of the German troops I order the following”
The eight articles which follow place the occupied Norwegian areas under the Reich Commissar Terboven, with his headquarters at Oslo, who is to protect the Reich interests and to exercise the supreme governmental authority in the civil sphere and who may utilize the existing Norwegian administration to carry out his measures. The basic law hitherto enforced in Norway remains valid so far as consistent with the occupation but the Commissar may modify it by decree. All military measures are to be taken by the commander of the German troops in cooperation with the Reich Commissar and German police are placed at the disposal of both civil and military administrations.