NAZI DIPLOMACY

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 April 1943, Page 5

NAZI DIPLOMACY

FOREIGN OFFICE CHANGES

RELATIONS WITH SPAIN

(N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent)

(Recd. 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 20. Some attention is being, paid to Nazi diplomatic activity. Von Papen has been summoned to Berlin for a conference. Doctor Keichhoff, one of the ablest German diplomatists is appointed to Madrid, succeeding Molte, who died. Von Weissacker a competent shrewd diplomatist, is appointed to the Vatican. He is replaced at the German Foreign Office by Steengracht, one of Ribbentrops men. " The effect of these changes, it is staled, will be to tighten Ribbentrop’s control over the policy which is a warning that German diplomatic offensive will, be tricky and dangerous. The Germans are apparently dissatisfied that their hold on Spam is not as strong as formerly, but the Spanish Government is far from becoming pro-ally, and remains fundamentally anti-Soviet. There is a different situation in the Eastern Mediterranean where Turkey’s sympathies and interest with Britain and her relations with Russia are continually improving. It is confirmed that the recent rumours of large German forces concentrating along the French-Spamsn border, were put out by the Germans in the hope that the Allies would lessen the pressure against Axis forces in Tunisia, by maintaining forces in Northern Morocco. It is considered the prospect of Hitler entering Spain in order to try to close the western gate of the Mediterranean now appears-less likely. Recent information from occupied countries indicates a further changeover in the Axis outlook and propaganda, and that Goebbels is endeavouring to obtain sympathetic consideration for unity within “the European fortress’’—a campaign which failed. There are reports iha L many Germans of all ranks are taking personal precautions against an Allied victory, and that in France and the Low Countries they are demanding “good conduct certificates, from the mayor and local authorities.

NO IMPREGNABLE WALLS. (Rec. 1.15 p.m.) LONDON, April 20. “The Red Army and the whole Soviet people are expecting the Western Allies in military campaigns in the current year will pull their weight in the common struggle against the Axis,” said M. Maisky, addressing British seamen, to whom he I 'presented Russian decorations for exploits with the convoys going to Russia. “They are now talking m Berlin about the Atlantic, Western, Eastern and all sorts of other walls, which should secure the impregnability of Hitler’s European fortress. This war has taught us that no walls are impregnable, and the United Nations will prove this to the Axis in their own time. It is still a iar cry to victory ,which can be achieved only with the greatest possible concentration of all Allied military, economic, and political lorces, and also the most harmonious use ol all arms at our disposal. The next six or seven months will be the most significant of the war.. The Allies armies, navies, and air lorces are feverishly preparing for coming events.” hitler'iTbirthday LONDON, April 20. The Berlin radio announced that Hitler spent his birthday at his headquarters, where he listened by radio to the celebrations. “GHOST” RADIO-VOICE.

(Rec. 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, April 20. The German radio stations suddenly went off the air last night as Dr. Goebbels was giving fulsome birthday greetings to Hitler. It is believed an' R.A.F. raid was feared, but there was no large-scale air attack on Germany last’ night. Goebbels had scarcely begun when the stations closed. Berlin radio had just announced that Hitler was listening to the greetings from Berchtesgaden. A “ghost voice,” calling on the German people to throw out Hitler and the Nazi gang, broke into Berlin radio’s rebroadcast of the birthday greetings to Hitler, to-day, says •the Associated Press correspondent. Berlin radio repeated Goering’s and Goebbels's speeches, declaring: “Every German thinks more of the beloved Fuehrer." The “ghost voice” cut in: "Hiller’s henchmen have been in power too long! German people, awake! The time has come io finish with the Nazi gang. Down with Hitler and his gang! With the day of Hitler’s downfall the war will end. Five hundred thousand people have been made homeless by the British raids. These raids won’t stop. They will increase. Germans! Whom do you want to suffer?” / HITLER AND QUISLING (Recd. 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 20. Hitler received Quisling at his 'headquarters. A communique reportled that a long conversation upon the European battle for existence was •held in an atmosphere of complete mutual confidence. “Unshakeable determination was expressed to stand together in the struggle for a continuance of European culture and freedom of individual life of European nations, and the great teutonic struggle will be continued by mobilising all the forces until complete elimination of the Bolshevik and plutocratic menace is victoriously concluded.” Terboven and Himmler participated. The British United Press points out that pictures published in German newspapers showing Hitler’s recent similar meetings with heads of the European States, reveal “Hitler’s are actually at Berchtesgaden. “I found an immense change in Hitler’s face,” said Professor Von Durzaeil, who recently completed the Fuehrer's portrait, broadcasting over the Berlin radio. “I have always endeavoured to show in my portraits that it was the Fuehrer alone who bolds our destiny in his head and hands.”

The radio announcer added the portrait shows the deep changes visible in Hitler’s face, which Goebbels mentioned last night. His features now show hardness but determination, and especially reflect his anxiety for the German people and all mankind.

SWEDISH SUBMARINE

LONDON, April 20

A German armed merchantman fired on a Swedish submarine, the “Draken” in Swedish territorial waters, near Marstrand on Friday. The 'Stockholm radio says: “The Swedish ■Foreign Office has protested to Berlin. It also has asked whether Germany can shed any light on the sinking of a Swedish submarine, “Ulven,” in the same area on the same day. Reuter’s Stockholm correspondent says: Indignation was roused throughout Sweden after official disclosure of the German attack. Crowds gathered in the streets in front of posters , carrying the official communique. The paper “Svenska Dagbladet” says: I “The news touched off a fuse in the ’.psychological minefield,”