HESS’S MISSION

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 309, 24 September 1943, Page 7

HESS’S MISSION

Official Disclosure Of “Peace Terms” (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 22. ■ The “peace terms” which Herr Rudolph Hess offered on behalf of Herr Hitler when he landed in Scotland on May 30, 3943, have now been disclosed in an authoritative statement issued in London by the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden. Hess first informed Wing Commander the Duke of Hamilton: “I am on a mission of humanity. The Fuehrer does not want to defeat England and wants to stop fighting.” Hess said he had already tried three times to fly to Dungavel, the Duke’s Scottish home, the first time being in December, 3940, but he had been turned back by the weather or through other reasons. , He "did not want to come during the British successes in Libya lest it should appear that it was weakness by Germany which prompted the flight, but now that Germany had had some success there he was glad to come. He 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 that he (Hess) wanted to stop unnecessary slaughter. He had asked the Duke to get together the lending members of his party to talk over things with a view to making peace proposals. The Duke of Hamilton had pointed out that there was now only one party in Britain.

In an interview with Mr. Ivone Kirkpatrick, of the Foreign Office, Hess further elaborated the object of his visit. He stressed the enormous power of Germany in the air and in U-boats, which latter would grow much greater. He affirmed the certainty of England’s defeat by blockade —if not very quickly, then in the course of two or three years. He said he had come without the knowledge of the Fuehrer to convince responsible persons that since England could not win the wisest 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 aspired to world domination. The Fuehrer would sincerely regret the collapse of the British Empire. Hitler had declared to him as recently as May 3 that lie had no impressive demands to make on England. What Germany Wanted.

The solution Hess put forward was at follows: — . (1) Germany should be given a tree hand in Europe. (2) England should have a free hand in the British Empire, except that the former German colonies were to be returned. . , , , - » . (3) Russia should be included in Asia, but Germany had certain demands to make on Russia which would have to be satisfied either by negotiation or as a 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) There would be reciprocal indemnification of British and German nationals whose property had been expropriated as a result of war. (6) The proposal could only be considered on the understanding that it was negotiated by Germany with a Government other than the present. British Government. Mr. Churchill, who. had planned the war since 1936, and his colleagues who had lent themselves to his war policy, were not persons with whom the Fuehrer would negotiate. . . Hess concluded by emphasizing that the Fuehrer really wanted a peace'understanding with Britain on a basis which would preserve the British Empire intact. His flight was intended to give Britain a chance of opening conversations without loss of prestige. If the chance was rejected it would be the Fuehrer s duty to destrov Britain utterly and keep the country after the war in permanent subjection. The terms were restated by Hess in a signed document on June 10. Hie. only new point was a provision for a simultaneous armistice and that peace must be concluded with Italy. It was throughout made clear to Mess that there was no question whatever of any talks or negotiations of. any kind taking place with Hitler or his Government. . , . Hess had been dealt with as a prisoner of war since his arrival, and would so continue to be treated till the end of the