HESS' SECRET TALKS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21980, 26 March 1946, Page 5

HESS' SECRET TALKS

MISSION TO BRITAIN REVEALED “BASIS FOP, UNDERSTANDING” TRIBUNAL HEARS LORD SIMON’S RECORD

(10 a.m.) NUREMBERG, March 25. A 70-page "most secret” record of a three-hour talk between Rudolf Hess, formerly deputy-Fuhrer, and Lord Simon, then Lord Chancellor, in which Hess handed over the terms of his basis for an understanding between Britain and Germany was revealed for the first time during the defence of Hess before the War Crimes Tribunal. Lord Simon throughout the document is described as "Dr. Guthrie” and the Foreign Office official, Mr. Ivone Kirkpatrick, who was also present, as “Dr. MacKenzie.” Reuter's correspondent says it it not explained why Lord Simon, who told Hess he was able “to receive his mission by Government authority,” appeared in this way since, at one stage, he himself recalled that he and Hess had met previously. The interview took place on June 10, 1941, one month after Hess’ flight to Scotland, and after his earlier talks with the Duke of Hamilton and Mr. Kirkpatrick.

Reuter’s correspondent adds that the record pictures a mixture of persuasiveness, cajolery and threats with which Hess sought to convince Britain of the necessity of accepting the basis of the understanding which he handed to Lord Simon in writing. Hess began by saying that the idea of his flight to Britain occurred to him when he was with Hitler during the French campaign in 1940. “I was convinced that we would conquer England sooner or later,” he said. “I was of the opinion that we must naturally demand from England restitution in goods, such as the merchant fleet taken from us by the Versailles Treaty, but the Fuhrer contradicted me immediately and said he believed the war could lead to an agreement with England. Germany should not impose severe conditions on a country with which it desired an agreement

Lord Simon asked Hess how he reconciled the statement that British bombing was negligible with the bitterness of the raid victims who pressed Hitler for retaliation.

Hess replied that he meant the German losses were small compared with the English.

Lord Simon then asked why the Germans went on losing men on the battlefields if they could defeat Britain immediately by air. Hess replied that Germany’s air formations were still in the process of organisation but the moment would come when air warfare would assume horrible forms and proportions. Alarming U-boat Picture

Hess went on to paint an alarming picture of the U-boat development. “Three-quarters of Europe are constructing submarines,” he said.

Lord Simon: Nothing amuses the British people as much as the German figures about the sinkings of British tonnage. It makes them laugh.

Hess: I am convinced the day is coming when the English will no longer laugh about it. Hess said that if the British capitulated through lack of tonnage the Germans would not consider occupying England because they would have to feed the people. They would only occupy key air bases. Hess said he came absolutely without Hitler’s knowledge. He laughed and said the terms he nad written down were based on what the Fuhrer had told him in conversations. He then handed over "the basis for an understanding”—a free hand for Germany in Europe and for Britain in the Empire, the return of German colonies, the evacuation of Iraq, and peace with Italy. German Rights In Europe

“Most Critical Decision” Hess went on: “I must confess I faced the most critical decision in my life. I continually pictured an endless row of children’s coffins, with mothers crying behind them —not only German but English.” Reuter’s correspondent comments that jt appears from the record the British air attacks must already have been having some effect because Hess said the Fuhrer hesitated again and again to order counter-attacks but gradually mothers who had lost children reproached the Fuhrer and asked why he had not retaliated. Hess added: “When the Fuhrer came to the conclusion that commonsense would not prevail in England, he acted according to Admiral Lord Fisher's rule of conduct: ‘Moderation in war is folly. If you strike, strike hard wherever you can.’ I can confirm that it was indeed always difficult for the Fuhrer to give orders for these attacks. It pained him deeply. He constantly fully sympathised with .the English people who were victims of this method of war.”

Lord Simon asked what, for example, would happen to Holland? Hess replied that Hitler once said. “There are people who think I am going to keep all that I occupy. I am not so crazy.” Lord Simon: If the Fuhrer feels he cannot leave Iraq in the lurch, maybe England feels she cannot leave Holland in the lurch. Hess: As little as we will in future mix in the affairs of the British Empire. as little may England mix in the affairs of Europe. Lord Simon: There seems to be a difference. The domestic affairs of the Empire are British. Are all European domestic affairs German? Hess: No. we don’t even insist on that.

Reproaches Not Acceptable Here “Dr. Guthrie” interrupted Hess, saying: “Herr Hess, of course, understands that if I do not challenge or contradict what he says, it is not because I agree, but because my real purpose in coming here is .to hear irom him about bis mission. Herr Hess must understand the British people, too, are proud people—herrcnvolk—and won’t easily accept such reproaches.” Hess replied: “The leaders of Germany were absolutely convinced that Britain’s position was hopeless.” He then launched into an account of the Luftwaffe expansion. “I have personal relations with the flying world and I have some idea what will happen to England sooner or la.ter,” he said. "It will be terrible. What thus far has happened to England is onlv a small prelude and that is one of the reasons why I came here.”

Hess, at the close of the interview, told Lord Simon that if England did not agree to these conditions, sooner or later she would be forced to accede to them.

Lord Simon: I don’t think that particular argument will be very good for the British Cabinet, because you know there is a good deal of courage in this country and we are not very fond of threats. The interview concluded with a, request from Hess that he be permitted to tell something to the Cabinet “which I cannot tell ‘Dr. Guthrie’ alone.”