HITLER DID NOT WANT TO DEFEAT BRITAIN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 226, 23 September 1943, Page 5

HITLER DID NOT WANT TO DEFEAT BRITAIN

HESS BROUGHT TERMS Official Story Of "Mission Of Humanity" British Official Wireless Rec. 12.30 p.m. RUGBY, Sept. 23. The terms which Rudolf Hess offered on behalf of Hitler when he landed in Scotland on May 10, 1941, have now been disclosed in an authoritative statement in London. Hess first informed Wing-Comman-der, the Duke of Hamilton: "I am on a mission of humanity. The Fuehrer does not want to defeat Britain and wants to stop the fighting." Hess said he had already tried three times to fly to Dungavel, the Duke of Hamilton's Scottish home, the first time being in December, 1940, but he had been turned back by weather or other reasons. He did not want to come during the British successes in Libya lest it should appear that it was weakness in Germany 1 which prompted the flight, but now that Germany had had some success there he was glad to come.

Hess stressed that his presence showed his sincerity and the German willingness for peace. His main theme was that Hitler was convinced that Germany would win sooner or later, and he, Hess, wanted to stop unnecessary slaughter. He asked the Duke to get together the leading members of his party to talk over things with a view to making peace proposals. The Duke pointed out that there was only one party in Britain. In an interview with Colonel I. A. Kirkpatrick, of the Foreign Office, Hess further elaborated the object of his visit. He stressed the enormous power of Germany in the air and the power of the U-boats, which would grow much greater.

Certain of Britain's Defeat He affirmed his certainty of Britain's defeat by blockade, if not very quickly then in the course of two or three years. He had come without the knowledge of the Fuehrer to convince responsible persons that since Britain could not win the easiest course was to make peace at once. He gave his word of honour that the Fuehrer had never entertained designs against the British Empire, nor had he aspired to world domination. The Fuehrer would sincerly regret the collapse of the British Empire. Hitler had declared to him as recently as May 3 that he had nc? impressive demands to make on Britain. The solution Hess put forward was as follows: — (1) Germany should be given a free hand in Europe. (2) Britain should have a free hand in the British Empire, except that the ex-German colonies were to be returned. (3) Russia should be included in Asia, but Germany had certain demands to make of Russia, which would have to be satisfied either by negotiation or as the result of war. There was no truth in rumours that the Fuehrer contemplated an early attack on Russia. (4) The British should evacuate Iraq. . . . (5) Reciprocal indemnification of British and German nationals whose property was expropriated as a result of the war.

No Truck JVitli Churchill (6) The proposal could only be con-< sidered on the understanding that it was negotiated by Germany with a Government other than the present British Government. Mr. .Churchill, who had planned war since 1936, and his colleagues who had lent themselves to his war policy, 'w ei e not persons with whom the i 1 uehrer would negotiate. . . Hess concluded by emphasising that the Fuehrer really wanted peace and understanding with Britain on n hasis which preserved the British Empire Intact. His flight was intended to give Britain a chance of opening conversations without loss nf nrestiee If the chance was rejected it would be the Fuehrer's rintv to destroy Britain utterly and to keep the country after the war in permanent subjection. The terms were restated by Hess in a signed document on June 10. The only new point was a provision that a simultaneous armistice and Dea ce must be concluded with Italy. P It was throughout made clear to Hess that there was no questimi whatever of any talks or negotiations of any kind taking place with Hitler or his Government. Hess has been dealt with as a prisoner of war since his arrival and will so continue to be treated until the end of the war.