EFFORTS FOR PEACE

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 March 1946, Page 7

EFFORTS FOR PEACE

BRITISH BUSINESSMEN IN TALKS SWEDISH TESTIMONY (Rec. 12.35 p.m.) NUREMBERG, March 19. The War Crimes Tribunal agreed to interrupt Goering’s evidence to hear the testimony of a Swedish industrialist, Birger Dahlerus, to enable him to return to Sweden. Dahlerus said he lived in Britain for 12 years. He was in England in June, 1939, visiting industrial centres and met friends at the Constitutional Club in London on July 2, 1939. The general opinion he gained was the basis of his discussion with Goering. He told Goering he found a very determined attitude against any further German aggression. The invasion of Danzig and Poland would mean war with Britain, who did not advertise her strength, which was not even fully appreciated -by the general public. Dahlerus described early efforts on the initiative of Sweden for a meeting between representatives of Britain and Germany. He said he received Hitler’s agreement to a plan through Goering in July, 1939, and he went to Sweden to make arrangements. It was considered inadvisable, however, for King Gustav, or the Swedish Government to issue an invitation, though there was nothing against a private individual making arrangements. Accordingly he asked Goering to meet representatives of the British Parliament. The meeting was arranged for August 7, 1939, at Goering’s estate in Schleswig-Hol-stein.

Dahlerus later received an intimation from Goering that Hitler agreed to such a conference and the matter was also discussed in London. Dahlerus continued: “Goering explained that Germany was anxious to come to an understanding with Britain. He asked me if I could go to London.” Dahlerus said he went to London and saw Lord Halifax, the then Foreign Secretary. “I was informed on the same day that Mr. Nevile Henderson had seen Hitler. Lord Halifax expressed a hope that as the official channels had now been opened a settlement would be possible. Lord Halifax thanked me for what I had done and gave me a letter to Goering.” Hitler' asked him why he had failed to come to an arrangement with the British Government. “I replied that the Biitish people lacked confidence in him and his Government. He began a long harangue and cried, ‘I am innocent. He then asked me to go to London and explain his viewpoint.” Dahlerus said he brought Hitlers six points. These were:.Firstly, Germany would sign a pact of alliance with Britain; secondly, the British would help Germany in getting Danzig and the Polish Corridor; thirdly, Germany would guarantee Polish sovereignty; fourthly, agreement on German colonies; fifthly, guarantees for German minorities in Poland; and sixthly, German help in defence of the British Empire. Dahlerus said he conferred with Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Halifax on these points. Britain was willing to come to an agreement about an alliance with Germany, but turned down the idea of German help in defending the Empire. They made it clear there could not be a discussion on colonies until Germany was demobilised. Returning to Germany

Dahlerus told Goering the results ot his London visit. Goering on August 29 telephoned that the British reply was received most satisfactorily. There was every hope that there would be no war. Goering phoned later and said Hitler and Mr. Nevile Henderson had quarrelled. Goering seemed upset and asked him (Dahlerus) to go again to London and explain -that the Fuehrer was working on a plan for Poland. . Dahlerus said that back m London he again saw Mr Chamberlain, Lord Halifax, Sir Horace Wilson and Sir Alexander Cadogan. It was obvious the British Government had become very suspicious. The talks were still goin* on when on the evening of September 1 Goering told him war had broken out as the Poles had attacked a radio station, and the full force, of the German Army was attacking Poland. Hitler on September 2 again asked him to come to the Chancellery. Hitler said England wanted war. Dahlerus added: “I then realised that Hitler’s aim, had been to split Poland and England and to conquer Poland without running the risk of war with Britain and France.” Dahlerus named several British businessmen participating in unoffi-

cial talk with Goering at SchleswigHolstein in the summer of 1939. They were Hon. Charles Maclaren and Mr S. W. Rawson, directors of John Brown and Company-, Mr H. A. Holden, of Worthing, Sir Robert Renwick, of the London Electric Supply Company, Mr Brian S. Mountain, of the Eagle Star Insurance Company, Mr C. Frederick Spencer, a director of John Brown and Company, Associated Industries, etc., and Mr T. Mensforth, managing director of the Hotpoint Electric Appliance Company. Goering returned to the witness box and vehemently denied the statements of his own witness, Dahlerus. Goering said his efforts through Dahlerus were not concerned with isolating -Poland and keeping Britain out of the quarrel, but when the Polish Corridor came up he tried to effect some peace settlement on the lines of the Munich agreement. “It was not a question of eliminating Britain. The British diplomacy, would at once have recognised that, and I would have used different tactics.”

Goering said Ribbentrop knew nothing about Dahlerus being sent between Berlin and London. He never discussed the matter with Ribbentrop nor told him of the negotiations with the British Government.