HESS PEACE MISSION

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 September 1943, Page 5

HESS PEACE MISSION

OFFICIAL DISCLOSURE HITLER’S OFFER TO BRITAIN RUGBY?September 22, The “peace terms” which Rudolph Hess offered on behalf of Hitler, he landed in Scotland on May 10, 1941, have now been disclosed, in an authoritative statement m London. Hess first informed Wing Com mander the Duke ot Hamilton lam on a mission of humanity. The lun rer does not want to defeat England, and wants to stop the fighting. Hess said he had already tned three times to fly to Dugaval, the Duke’s Scottish home, the first time being in December, 1940, but he was turned back by the weather or other reasons. He did not want to come during the British successes in Libya, lest it should appear that it was the weakness of Germany which prompted the flight, but now Geirnany had some success there, he was glad to come. He stressed his pyesence showed his sincerity and German willingness for peace. His main theme was that Hitler was convinced Germany would win sooner or later, and he (Hess) wanted to stop the 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 Wing Commander pointed out there was now only one party in Britain. In an interview with Mr Kirkpatrick, of the Foreign Office, Hess further elaborated the object of his visit. He stressed the enormous power of Germany in the air and U-boats, which latter would grow much greater. He affirmed the certainty of England’s defeat by blockade, if not very quickly, 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 Fuehrer 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, he had no impressive demands to make on England.

INTENTION TO DESTROY The solution Hess put forward was as follows: —Firstly, Germany should be given a free hand in. Europe. Secondly, England should have a free hand in the British Empire, except the ex-German colonies were to be returned. Thirdly, 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 the result of the war. There was no truth m the rumours that the Fuehrer contemplated an early attack on Russia. Fourthly, the British should evacuate Iraq. Fifthly, reciprocal indemnification of British and German nationals, whose property was expropriated as the result of war. Sixthly, the proposal could be only considered on the understanding 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 lent themselves to his war policy, were not the persons with whom the Fuehrer would negotiate. Hess concluded by emphasising that the Fuehrer really wanted peace and understanding with Britain on the basis which preserved the British Empire intact. His flight was intended to give Britain a chance of opening conversations without loss of prestige. If the chance were rejected, it would be the Fuehrer’s duty to destroy Britain utterly, and keep the country after the war in permanent subjection. The terms were re-stated by Hess in a signed document on June 10. The only new point was the provision that a simultaneous armistice and 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 Hitier 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.