HESS'S MISSION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 73, 23 September 1943, Page 7

HESS'S MISSION

TERMS FOR PEACE

DETAILS DISCLOSED

Rec. 11 a.m

RUGBY, Sept. 22,

The "peace 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 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 Fuhrer 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, 1940, 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 leading 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 had come without the knowledge of the Fuhrer 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 Fuhrer had never entertained designs against the British Empire nor aspired to world domination. The Fuhrer would sincerely regret the collapse of the . British Empire. Hitler had declared to him as recently as May 3 that he had no impressive demands to make on England. SIX GERMAN PROPOSALS. The solution Hess put forward was as follows: — ■ (1) Germany should be given a free 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 of Russia which would have to be satisfied either by negotiation or as a result of war. There was no truth in rumours that the Fuhrer contemplated •an early attack on Russia. ' . ■ (4) The British should evacuate Irak. . . (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. planned the war since 1936, and his colleagues who had lent themselves to his war policy, were not persons with whom the Fuhrer would negotiate. * ■~..,., Hess concluded by emphasising that the Fuhrer 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 Fuhrer's duty to destroy Britain utterly and keep the country after th% war in permanent subjection. The terms were restated by Hess m a signed document on June 10. The only new point was a provision for a simultaneous armistice and that peace must be concluded with Italy. It was "throughout made clear to Hess that there was no question 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.—B.O.W.