PEACE PREVENTED

Grey River Argus, 7 September 1939, Page 8

PEACE PREVENTED

By Britain (Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l (Received September 7, 1 a.m. BERLIN, September 6. The German Government has published a White Paper on the diplomatic exchanges before the war. In this it is claimed that Herr Hitler at the outset accepted the British suggestion to negotiate direct with Poland, but no Polish negotiator arrived on the stipulated date, nor did Britain send any communication about her undertakings. The subsequent British memorandum did not show any real progress in dealing with the problem. The British Ambassador was then given a detailed outline of the Reich’s proposals, but he said that he had not. the power to negotiate on behalf of Poland The Reich Government waited vainly for two days for the arrival of a Polish negotiator after which the proposals that Germany published were declared unacceptable by Poland by radio. The White Paper adds that. Germany and France assented, but Britain rejected Signor Mussolini’s proposal for an armistice and a conference. Thus the Italian peace initiative was frustrated by Britain.

Hitler Praised FOR GOING TO THE FRONT. GERMAN RADIO TAUNTS BRITISH MINISTERS. (Received September 7, 12.45 a.m.) LONDON, September 6. The German radio declares that the nation acclaims Herr Hitler’s courage in visiting the Eastern Frontier, and says it shows that he has assumed responsibility for his actions, and is ready to share the risks of his officers and men. The radio asks where are Messrs Churchill, Eden, Duff-Cooper, Amery and other Fleet Street scribes who are lavishly spilling the blood of millions on paper. . The radio describes the British Ministry of Information as the ‘Weltluegenzentral,” (world lies centre). Diplomats Exchanged HOLLAND ACTS AS "GOBETWEEN.” LONDON, September 5. The Ministry of Information has issued the following official version of the exchange of the British and German Embassy staffs: "Immediately on the outbreak of war, the British Foreign Office arranged for the safe departure of the German Charge d’Affaires staff. They left London at 6 p.m. on September 4, with a view to boarding the Dutch vessel, Batavia IV. However, before the vessel sailed, the British. Ambassador at The Hague advised that Germany had refused to allow Sir N. Henderson and his staff to cross the Ger-man-Dutch frontier, until the German staff had been released from England. Britain gladly accepted the Dutch Government’s offer to act as go-between, and agreed to allow the Germans to embark on the Batavia IV, on condition that they were not permitted to cross Holland until the British Ambassador and his staff were released. The Batavia IV sailed at 11.35 on September 4. It is expected that the exchange will be made in Holland on September. 5.” WASHINGTON September 6. The exchange of Sir N. Henderson for Dr. Kordt will be effected by the Netherlands Government. Following the sailing of a Dutch vessel with Dr. Kordt aboard, for Rotterdam, the Netherlands Government offered to act as go-between in the exchange of the respective officials, as word was received that the German Government had refused to allow Sir N. Henderson and his staff to cross the German frontier, until Dr. Kordt was released from England. Sir N. Henderson, with the entire Embassy staff of 39, has left Oldensaal Bland, and is now housed in an hotel at Scheveningen. The French Ambassador to Berlin, M. Coulondre, and the German Ambassador to France, Herr Welczeck, entered their home territories after exchanging trains at Oldenzeal. Sir Neville Henderson is still waiting at Rhiene. (Received September 6, 11.40 p.m.) LONDON, September 6. Sir N. Henderson and his staff have arrived at The Hague.

Gandhi’s Letter TO HITLER. (Received September 6, 11.55 p.m.) SIMLA, September 6. Mr Gandhi has revealed that he sent a letter to Herr Hitler on July 23, saying: “You are one of the persons in the world able to prevent a war which may reduce humanity to savagery. I appeal to you to avoid war, and to settle the differences in other ways.”, GERMAN RADIO. SURPRISES BRITISHERS. LONDON, September 5. Germany has tried a new method to reach British listeners with propaganda. Shortly after 2 a.m., listeners tuned in to 449 metres, which is the 8.8. C. northern home broadcast, and were surprised to hear a perfect voice announce a German news bulletin for British listeners. SWISS BAN ON BROADCASTS. NEW YORK, September 5. The “New York Times’s” Geneva correspondent says that Switzerland has banned broadcasts by the League radio, or the use of the station for political messages. NATAL RELIEF. LONDON, September 5. The “Times’s” Durban correspondent says that Natal received the news of General Smuts’ victory with relief. The public had been flabbergasted by General Hertzog’s favourable references to Herr Hitler.