740.0011 European War 1939/2114
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Chief of the Division of European Affairs (Moffat)
At about half-past eleven, the Norwegian Minister called. He confirmed that the Germans had taken Bergen and other Atlantic ports, though how they were able to do so in the face of the British blockade and the presence of British warships he was unable to understand. He pointed out that Norway could at best put up merely a pro forma resistance. In the first place, the German troops were admirably prepared and equipped, and were not “inefficient” like the Russians. In the second place, the Norwegian Army was small and incapable of a prolonged effort. He then said that as the Allies had “brought on this war”, it was up to them to come and save Norway. If they failed to do so, he felt that Allied prestige throughout all the neutral world would sink to an all-time low and bring about consequences that were difficult to foresee. He, the Minister, would await better days, but these days would have to come from without.