DENMARK’S POSITION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 20 October 1942, Page 3

DENMARK’S POSITION

MILITARY OCCUPATION

GERMAN PROMISES BROKEN ?! The position of Denmark, said Christ- ! mas Muller in a B B C. broadcast, differs greatly from that of any other country • occupied by Germany. Let. me explain l what I mean. When Germany invaded Denmark on 9th April. 1940, that country chose not to resist. I can here . only sav that that decision at any rate • met with some understanding in Denmark. The Danish Government main- > tained that the opponents of Germany could not have helped Denmark at the lime when Germany violated the nonaggression pact and invaded us. This pact, it will be remembered, was entered into at the instigation of Hitler himself and signed by Denmark and Germany ■ in 1939. The consequence was that - Denmark after the occupation retain- : od her King and her Parliament, and ■ that the Germans also promised to re- ) spect the political independence and territorial integrity of Denmark. In this ' | lies the main difference between the '■ j position of Denmark and that of the : other countries which were conquered :by force. In their case the question i of the future remained entirely open. It is a matter which Germany claims can only be solved when the war is over. How good it is to know that Germany , will not be given a voice in that settlc- ; ment! j In Denmark, as regards the Germans, the right of the Danes to live their own lives is limited only by the fact . that the Germans have occupied the I country from a military point of view. Moreover, they promised not to use Danish territory against the opponents of Germany—who arc. of course, the friends of Denmark. Now, as a member of the Danish Government after the occupation, let 1 me tell you how Germany has kept • that word during the two years in which Denmark has been in German ■ fetters. It is no military secret that - the Germans have built one large aerodrome after another in Jutland, the ' mainland of the country; nor that a stream of supplies for Norway goes via Jutland, and a stream of troops goes that way to Norway and back. Germany has by no means kept her . promise not to interfere in the interj nal politics of Denmark. Ministers ! : and members of the Rigsdag arc forced .'out of their positions when their at- . j titude is disagreeable to the Germans. ! The Germans put pressure on Denmark to make it agree to supplements to the Penal code, according to which much harsher punishments may be inflicted than those which we are used to. Municipal elections —elections that ought to be of no interest to the Germans—are forbidden. The Danish radio is controlled by the Germans, who , often protest against and forbid this or that speech. Authors and public speakers who are particularly popular and . who express themselves clearly and unequivocally for the freedom of the people are forbidden to speak or write, and in some cases sent to prison. Here . is a typical example of how the Ger- | mans fail to understand the minds of other people. When a Danish historian published a pamphlet about the German philosopher Fichte, who in the beginning of the last century tried to rouse his people against the foreign oppressor, the Germans became particu-

larly infuriated and directed their heaviest guns at that author. Fichte, of course, wrote a great deal which is applicable to Denmark to-day. The Danish press is no longer a free press. If they write anything disagreeable to the Germans, fines descend on them in veritable showers: the Germans have forced the dismissal of several editors who refused to bow to them. While there is undoubtedly a colossal difference between the treatment meted out to other occupied countries. where the Germans use straight out barbaric methods, and living conditions in Denmark. I can assure you that opinion and feeling in Denmark are exactly the same as in the other oppressed countries. The truth—a terrible one for Germany—is that even in those countries which are her allies she finds no real friendship, but only fear anxiety for the German theory of a master people. The population in those countries is perfectly aware of the fact that if Germany wins life will hardly be worth living for them either. In the economic sphere conditions are quite similar. It is true that there is no theft and plunder as in Not way, Holland and Belgium, in Poland and Czechoslovakia. in Yugoslavia and Greece. Outwardly things are more peaceful, more gentle, but the result is the same. Up to date Germany has demanded that Denmark should spend such vast amounts as 1.000 million Kroner to cover the cost of the army and navy and military works they erected in Denmark. Germany has bought goods and commodities for another 1.000 million Kroner —without paying for them. The occupation has so far cost Denmark a sum of 2.000 million Kroner, that is one fifth of all funds and assets of all the citizens of the country. Though Germany promised Denmark not to interfere in Danish internal politics, the fact is that she forced her to ban the communist party. This was entirely uncalled for and would never have been done except under pressure. She forced the Danish Government to take sides in the GermanRussian war on its outbreak in the summer 1941. Now that lam in England I can say to Russia, to her Government and her people that the Danish statement in this matter does not in the least express public opinion at home. It is a public secret in Denmark, and I consider it extremely important that the four great allied powers and their allies should know, that when Denmark on the 25th November. 1941. joined the anti-Comintern Pact this was done only under most violent German threats. If Denmark did not comply she would be treated in the same way as the other oppressed peoples. I could go on like this, and I repeat there is a difference between th« initial reaction of my country and the other nations. I understand perfectly well if many people in the free world and in the other occupied countries are uncertain as to the position of my people; they should know that in reality there is no difference. The enforcement has the same aim but the means are different. They should know that when Germans in Denmark, as in other countries. have tried to employ Fifth Columnists and quislings to enforce their policy, their attempts have been frustrated by the firm and consistent attitude of Denmark's King. Government and Rigsdag. The Danish people are tenacious and strong, their passive resistance is enduring. If we fight with different arms in Denmark, still nobody should have any doubt that the overwhelming majority of the Danish people cherish the same feeling for liberty, for equality, for human rights and understanding between man and man. Believe me. the Danish people will play their part in the struggle for these ideals—so vital to humanity—side by side with the peoples of the Allied countries. So in fact we may say that from the example of Denmark, perhaps better than in any other country, we may see how thoroughly unsuited the Germans are to play any leading part in the world.