740.0011 European War 1939/3842: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Sterling) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11:10 a.m.]
628. Following has been received from Oslo by courier:
394, June 12, noon. With the Allied withdrawal from Narvik, the departure of the King and the Government for England and the surrender of remnant of the Norwegian Army in the north, Norwegian attitude here is one of waiting with resignation for whatever decision the Germans may make with regard to the future administration of the country. The Germans have not disclosed their intentions but leading Norwegians in Oslo have indicated to me their apprehension lest the occupying authorities now supersede the Norwegian Administrative Council with a Government subservient to themselves. They fear a return of Quisling to power which they say would result in Norwegian passive resistance. Quisling is loathed here by all but a small group of his adherents. It is conceivable that the Germans are now merely using him as a convenient threat to ensure quick Norwegian compliance with their demands. Some difference of opinion is discernible between the German civil and military authorities, the latter being opposed to too much interference in Norwegian internal matters which might disturb their military preparations.