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The Netherlands was grimmer. Dutchmen refused to sell their cattle, and there was such a meat shortage that authorities had to confiscate bootlegged dogmeat sausages. The Dutch got sly satisfaction out of changing signposts along their roads to confuse the Germans. More than 2,000 Netherlander were -in German prisons for acts of resistance. Many German soldiers have been found dead along roads, in fields and canals. Because the Germans force Dutch fishermen to return to port before dark there was a shortage of fish. Tobacco was scarce, although Dutch possessions are rich in it. Steel, iron and wood were so hard to get that the work of rebuilding Rotterdam had come to a standstill. Schools and universities were closed; at least one professor was jailed for the mention of "our beloved Queen." Said a former Cabinet Minister: "Do not expect of us that for the sake of national unity we should drive out of our public life that which is to us most holy."
Denmark, where the Germans have tried to run a model occupation, found unrest growing. Once rich in food, Denmark felt the pinch of looting, camouflaged behind trade agreements. Livestock was slaughtered because of lack of fodder; the pig and cattle population decreased 300,000 in six weeks. Pigs were reported to have become so undernourished that they broke their legs walking to slaughter. Danish farmers paid unprecedented taxes, and seafaring men, their trade cut off, were driven to take laborers' jobs in Germany. This week loyal subjects of King Christian jeered Danish Nazis who had been jailed for disturbing the peace.
Norway suffered from lack of coal.
Food reserves, which had been plentiful, are being used up by the Army of Occupation and by transfer to Germany. Most foods are rationed, but the shortage had not become grave by last week. The Norwegians gave the Germans even more trouble than the Dutch. Whistling in public was banned because natives whistled derisively at passing German soldiers. In cinemas it is customary to sing the national anthem whenever German newsreels are shown. Many German soldiers have been shot by snipers and in brawls, in spite of severe reprisals. Fortnight ago a bomb exploded near Major Vidkun Quisling in Fredrikstad and rumors grew that Fiihrer Quisling would be ousted for incompetence. Labor practiced general sabotage, and financiers refused to bid on Oslo's bond issues.
Poland found life hardest of all. By mass exchanges of populations, by the building of walled ghettos, Germany sought to Germanize the west of Poland, to segregate Poles and Jews. Mass executions were adding to the estimated 3,000,000 Poles already killed in the invasion and occupation. Thousands died of starvation and cold last winter. Conditions this winter will be worse. But Poles have been too terrorized to practice widespread sabotage.