740.0011 European War 1939/3046: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Sterling) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:45 p.m.]
512. Following received from Cox by courier:
May 12, 10 a.m. Continuing my April 23, 5 p.m.,27 German control over occupied territory in Norway has been and continues to be effectively strengthened by the continuous arrival of transport and supply ships during the past 2 weeks. The arrival of Reichs Commissioner Terboven reported in my 249, April 2827 has been followed by that of many German officials to assume posts in the German civil administration as well as officials and members of German safety and secret police under whom the Norwegian police authorities now function.
[Page 164]The Storthing Building is now the Commissioner’s headquarters and the Foreign Office has been taken over as the German police headquarters. Germans occupy advisory positions in Government Ministries such as Finance and Supplies, the Bank of Norway, and other key offices. Press and telecommunications are under absolute German control and censorship. Strict control is exercised over finance, prices, firearms, movements of individuals, et cetera. The German Legation is nonexistent. Its senior officers are now attached as “representatives of the Foreign Office” to the Commissioner’s staff. There is still considerable confusion as between civil and military authorities in the exercise of duties. The above, however, indicates the general lines of the present setup.
The Commissioner’s first proclamation indicates that while the Norwegian Administrative Council appointed April 15 continues its functions under him, it is entirely subordinated to German decisions on all important questions. Terboven proclaimed that among his principal duties were the maintenance of safety and order and the utilization of all the occupied area’s “potentialities”, the supply [of] military necessities. So far, only strict rationing of food, fuel, and lubricants has been enforced and to some extent grain reserves are being utilized for the German troops. Some apprehension exists that if transport facilities break down, or for other reasons, the Germans may requisition reserve stocks of foodstuffs and raw materials required by military forces or for shipment to Germany.
The Norwegian reaction in Oslo area to the withdrawal of British forces from southern Norway has been one of complete disillusionment. This, coupled with the strong undercurrent of defeatism evident here since the beginning of the occupation, indicates that except possibly for isolated localities Norwegian resistance in southern Norway will terminate shortly.
I am confidentially informed that important groups of Norwegian industrialists and some members of Storthing are endeavoring to reach [the] King, said to be at Tromso, and persuade him that his continued refusal to accept the fact of German control may force his abdication. Many who know the English sympathies of both King and Crown Prince believe that both will refuse possibly in favor of a regency for Crown Princess. [Cox.]