Evening star., 1940-04-19
THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON D G., FRIDAY APRIL 49, so
Norway's Confusion
Laid 10 Methods
OF Nazi Warfare
Nation Not Prepared for
'UneiviIized' Strategy,
Legation Asserts

The Norwegian Legation today
blamed trickery by German agents
and "uncivilized" methods of Nazi
warfare for confusion among Nor
ways defenders in the face of the
sudden German invasion last week.
Sensational rumors Of treason
and sabotage must be received with
the greatest reservation" a state
ment issued by the Legation late yes
terday said, in supporting Minister
Wilhelm Munthe de Morgenstierne's
earlier declaration that reports of
treason by Norwegians were incred-
ible. Mr.. de Morgenstierne was in
New York City when the statement
was issued.
A spokesman at the Legation here
pointed out that the Norwegians had
expected at least a few days in
which to consider German demands
and had not been prepared for the
"uncivilized" type of warfare waged
by Germany.
Fishing Boats as Shields.
AS an example of Nazi trickery,
he cited cable from the Norwegian
Legation in Stockholm reporting
that German warships got safely by
Notifications on their way to Trond-
helm by using large number of
Norwegian fishing boats and small
steamers as shields.
THE fort could not shoot without
massacring Norwegian vessels" the
statement said, "and during the
uncertainty which arose in this
manner In the dark night, the Ger
mans got in"
The Legation also reported that
the fort at Hegra, east Of Trond-
helm, had fired at a Norwegian
train because a German agent in
Trondheim had telegraphed to the
fort commander that German troops
were on the train.
Many such instances might be
mentioned" the statement said,
The German propaganda utilizes
all sorts of rumors to create distrust
IN the Norwegian fighting spirit.
Ihe sudden attack which oc-
Cured simultaneously all over the
country placed the Norwegian de-
tense forces in an extremely difficult
position, but the peoples will to
oe1end itself is strong and asserts
itself in a bitterly waged resistance
Wherever defense can be organized
The Norwegian high command Is
bending ell its strength toward a
tough and tenacious fight"
False Orders Declared Sent.
In connection with reports of
treason and sabotage, the state
ment said:
In military quarters confusion
was created by reports which were
issued In the name of the govern
ment, not only from Oslo, but also
from other telegraph stations until
1t became clear to the indiyidua,
commanders that false reports had
been sent.
Great damage was caused by a
1alse order instructing the Nor
Wegian troops not to shoot in order
10 prevent provocations, but walt
untll the Germans attacked. Ger
tain detachments were thereby
placed in position where thcv
could not defend themselves before
1t was too late"
Repeated false reports were sent to
troops commanded by Mai. Gen.
Carl Johan Erichsen, in Southeast
ern Norway, that the government
mad ordered them to surrender, the
statement added.
General Denies Reports.
The Legation quoted a cable from
stockholm in which Gen. Erichsen
hatly denied reports published in a
Swedish newspaper that Norwegian
troops which operated in Askim and
Mysen, in Southeastern Norway,
were led by treacherous officers.
and not given sufficient arms or
food.
In these days, when We Nor
wegians are living through such ter
rible happenings" Gen. Erichsen
was quoted, lit is to be deeply re-
gretted that our burden should be
increased by rumors which are en-
tlrely without foundation in fact.
These rumors must be regarded
as part of the strong propaganda
which is being conducted by the
enemy in order to destroy us by