ONLY A TOOL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 February 1942, Page 3

ONLY A TOOL

IN HANDS OF THE NAZIS QUISLING AS PREMIER OF NORWAY FRAUDULENT PRETENCE OF PEACE. DENOUNCED BY NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, February 1. Contingents of Hirdguards converted Oslo into an armed camp for the ceremony of appointing Quisling Premier, says the “Daily . Telegraph’s” Stockholm correspondent. The principal streets were decorated with Nazi and Norwegian flags, but a procession of Quisling supporters passed between skeleton crowds because most citizens stayed at home. The German and Norwegian police wore steel helmets and were armed with rifles and revolvers as a precaution against demonstrations. German troops were stationed in the city’s outskirts, and the districts round Akershus Palace, where the ceremony was performed, were cordoned off.

Under the new constitution the stale of war is ended between Germany and Quislingite Norway, but General von Falkenhorst remains commander of the German garrison in Norway. Terboven is believed to be returning to Germany and is being replaced by another Nazi adviser. The removal of Terboven emphasises Norway’s "freedom,” because his name is a synonym for oppression. The Norwegian Government in London has issued the following statement: “The Germans have appointed Quisling Premier. He has always taken an active part on the side of the enemy in the fight against loyal Norwegians. His clique of traitors has systematically acted as informers. Quisling never had any support from the Norwegian people and acted merely as the tool of the occupying Power. Therefore the announcement of his appointment and intention to conclude peace with Germany on behalf of Norway is nothing but attempted fraud. Only the King of Norway and his Government, who are the legal representatives of the sovereign State of Norway, are empowered to conclude peace. The so-called peace treaty signed by Quisling would have no significance either constitutionally or under international law. Quisling has no position of authority except that given by the occupying Power. Any settlement made with him is a settlement' with Germany’s own representative.”