TAKEN BY SURPRISE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 135, 8 May 1940, Page 8

TAKEN BY SURPRISE.

NORAVEGIAN VERSION. EARLIER STORIES DISCOUNTED. (British Official AVireless.) RUGBY, Afay 6. In his Press interview in London the Norwegian Foreign Alinister (Professor Koht) questioned the authenticity of the highly sensational accounts of the German invasion purporting to prove that Norway was delivered into the hands of the invader by the treachery of Norwegians. “The Germans took Norway by means of surprise,” he said. “You may blame us that we did not expect it, but I would prefer to tell you the truth, and that is simply that we did not expect it. I. have seen reports about traitors helping the Germans in this aggression. There are sympathisers with Germany. There is a Nazi organisation iu Norway which has been very active, but numerically it is not strong. It was not able to put a single man into our Parliament at the last election.” Professor Koht also denied allegations to the effect that the Norwegian troops had been sacrificed by being left to cover the withdrawal of the British and French forces round Trondheim. He said: “The Norwegian troops had retreated earlier in order to rest. They were worn out and I can see no reason why they eliould have taken part in such an action.” The Norwegian Commander (General Ruge), who embarked on a British warship during the later stages of the Allied withdrawal from round Trondheim, is now again on Norwegian soil. The British warship was provided for him and his staff at his own special request after he had decided to transfer his headquarters to another region. The facts provide sufficient commentary upon the fanciful stories which .have been put about in German broadcasts that he was taken on board a British man-o-war against his own wishes and held prisoner there, while the British sent out an appeal to Norwegians in his name calling upon them to continue their resistance. TRIBUTE TO TROOPS.

Welcoming British aiul French troops from Central Norway • who landed at a northern port in England on Sunday, the Chief of the Imperial General Staff (General Sir Edmund Ironside) said: “Tell your people how well you fought. You returned with your "tails up. Don't think you were driven out of Norway. You were ordered out and the great thing is your discipline brought you out.”