740.0011 European War 1939/3879: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden (Sterling) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 17—4:22 p.m.]
637. From Harriman. The Germans have given an ultimatum to the Norwegian Civil Administration that they must, in collaboration with one of the Presidents of the Storting, Magnus Neilsen, who happens to be still in Norway, and his colleagues, leaders of all the political parties, and with 20 prominent citizens accept the following points:
- (1)
- To relieve the King, Crown Prince and Prince Harald of their rights and duties.
- (2)
- To relieve the Government of its rights and duties.
- (3)
- To relieve the members of the Storting who are outside of Norway of their rights and duties.
If these points are accepted the Norwegian Civil Administration Committee shall call the remaining members of the Storting to meet at Eidsval as soon as possible for a 1-day session. This Storting is to elect a new government and this government shall remain in power until 3 months after the war has ceased. After the 3 months the Kingdom of Norway shall hold new elections and the Storting on the strength of these elections will choose a new government. This government which the Germans desire would have dictatorial power and the Germans would only leave one envoy in Oslo. The above points will probably be rejected as it would be considered disloyal to [Page 171] the King and it would line up Norway as an enemy of England which would mean the confiscation by England of the Norwegian fleet.
The consequences of the refusal are that the property of the Royal Family, of the Government members and of the Storting members residing outside of Norway will be confiscated. Then a German protectorate will be set up. An answer has to be given tonight Monday at 8 o’clock.
A final decision of the Committee had not been reached up to Saturday night but the individual opinions of the members were that the terms would be rejected. [Harriman.]