Evening star., 1945-08-20
QuisLinq
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Quisling presented 81 ,000-word &C.
page statement detailing his own
defense.
Defiantly picturing himself as a
patriot and a prophet, the man
whose name has become synonym
for collaboration declared that Hit
Ter has proved to be right-it is not
England who has eventually won,
but Bolshevism"
England has attained her war
aim as far as beating Germany goes,
but in Russia and even more dan
gerous continental power has arisen"
Quisling declared. He demanded
rehabilitation and indemniflcation
for the insults and harm" he said
had been heaped upon him.
Scornfully he told his accusers
that their campaign of sabotage
and resistance had played only "a
negative role" in the war.
"All asses give the dying lion a
kick" he said.
Quislings elaborate statement
outlining his version of Norway's
wartime history, telling of his meet
ings with Hitler and of his own
alleged efforts to alleviate Norway's
plight-underscored again and again
his contention that the war was
fought with "bolshevism" as the
main issue.
Denounces Bolshevism.
"Bolshevism," he maintained, has
not only beaten Germany, which
was its chief aim-it has also at
tanned the old Russian imperialistic
chief aim and is undertaking to
form a Russian Slavonic world pow
er with 100000, 900 inhabitants.
Its further development in Eu-
rope, however," Quisling declared,
"is in an essential degree depend
ent upon Germany-whose 80 900 900
people cannot long be subdued-
upon whether Germany will seek
support in England and America or
join Russia.
Thus, Quisling argued, a Nazi
guarantee for "Norway's freedom
and independence is not without fu-
ture value when Germany once
more regains power, while the men,
ory of humiliating riddance of the
established rule might easily arouse
plans for revenge"
Quislings long defense statement
also made these other points:
I'VE maintained the independence
of Norway during a very critical
period.
I'VE saved the country from much
unnecessary misfortune and de-
struction.
I'VE saved the north from becon-
Ing a general scene of war by pre-
venting Sweden from also being oc-
cupied."
Defends Administration.
Quisling asserted that Norway
owed him and his government
credit for the fact that transition
to the present management went
of in such a quiet and peaceful way,
it might easily have taken a den
Eerous shape"
"If the exiled government" he
added, had performed its assump-
ton of government in a similarly
peaceful and dignified manner and
not as petifogging revolutionary
action 80. it would have been more
favorable for the country and its
prestige.
"As far as the occupation is con-
cerned, we have borne greater
part of its burden than those who
ran away from their obligations.
Quisling denied specifically that
he was guilty of ANY military trea-
son or treason against my country"
and asserted that on the contrary
"only patriotic and resolute action"
should be attributed to his regime.
He, maintained that after April
8, 1910, when the Germans en-
tered Norway, "a state of absolute
emergency existed" and that his
party-the Nasjonal Samling-re-
manned the only intact" political
organization.
There was no one else who
seemed willing to step into the
breach and take action" he said.
"I felt as if were on board q ship
which had drifted without captain
or pilot through the breakers to-
ward the rocks, on which he who
believes himself capable steps forth
and seizes the rudder and tries to
steer the vessel through.
"In such a case one does not
ask about certificates"
Quisling said the Norwegian peo-
pie at the outset of the war were
absolutely for neutrality. which
the previous government pretended
to follow, but by not maintaining
neutrality and by its neglectful de-
fense policy . they brought Nor
way into the humilating position
of conquered and occupied
country"
He said that he personally was
for my part more In favor of Great
Britain than Germany at the out
set.
But the Inscriptions attempt of
Great Britain and France to draw
Norway, into the war must result