HIMMLER'S MOVE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 100, 30 April 1945, Page 6

HIMMLER'S MOVE

RUSSIA EXCLUDED Peace Feelers To Western Powers N.Z.P.A. and British Wireless Rec. 1 p.m. LONDON, April 29. It is authoritatively stated in official circles, says Reuters correspondent in San Francisco, that Himmler has sent a message to the British and American Governments guaranteeing unconditional surrender by the Germans, but not to Russia. The British and American Governments replied that they would only accept unconditional surrender on behalf of all the Allies.

Rec. 1 p.m.

The following statement was issued from 10, Downing Street simultaneously with one from the White House "It has been recorded by Reuter that unconditional surrender was offered by Himmler to Britain and the United States only. Further, that Britain and America replied saying they would not accept unconditional surrender except on Dehalf of all the Allies, including Russia.

"No doubt at a time like this all kinds of reports of proposals for a German surrender from various parts of the Reich are rife, as these are in harmony with th"e enemy's desperate situation. His Majesty's Government has no information to give about any of them at this moment, but it must be emphasised that only unconditional surrender to the three major Powers will be entertained, and that the closest accord prevails between the three Powers."

A message from the official Russian news agency stated that this statement had the approval of authoritative Soviet circles.

General Eisenhower this afternoon authorised Press correspondents to state that he knows nothing about an unconditional surrender proposal on the part of Germany, and that one must be very careful of any news from the San Francisco Conference on the subject.

The British United Press Stockholm correspondent says that Himmler's surrender offer was made on April 24 at the Friedrichsrue Castle, in which the Swedish Legation from Berlin is now housed.

Count Bernadotte immediately flew to Sweden, where he made contact with the Swedish Foreign Office, which communicated with the British and American, but not the Russian representatives, in accordance with Himmler's request.

Count Bernadotte is now believed to be at Flensburg, on the DanishGerman border, where there is a big German Red Cross camp, and there is presumably no obstacle to his again meeting Himmler.