SECRET OF HESS

Grey River Argus, 1 February 1946, Page 5

SECRET OF HESS

MISSION TO BRITAIN Peace or Destruction ! REVELATIONS TO BE MADE AT NUREMBERG (Rec. 5.5) LONDON, Jan. 31 The long-kept secret of Hess’s real mission on his flight to Scotland in 1941 will be revealed at the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal in the British case against Hess. Hess placed before Britian the alternative of peace or utter destruction, according to documents filed by the prosecution. The documents consist of reports by the Duke of Hamilton and Mr. Kirkpatrick, of the Foreign Office, on their interviews with Hess. Peace was to be negotiated’, not with Mr. Churchill and his colleagues, who were blamed for the war, but with a new Government. Mr. Kirkpatrick who . interviewee Hess on May 13, 14, and 15, states that on May 13 Hess said he could give the word of honour of the F uehrer that he had never entertained any designs against the British Empire; but Hess emphasised that “avaricious” Americans had foul designs against the Empire. Canada would certainly be incorporated in the United States. Pless proposed that Britain should give Germany a free hand in Europe. Germany would give Britain a free Empire, but . for the return of Germany’s former colonies, which were required for the raw materials therein. Hess admitted Germany had certain demands to make from Russia, which would’ have to be satisfied, either by negotiation, or as a result of the war. He added, however, that there was no foundation for rumours that Hitler contemplated an U’arly attack on Russia.

Mr. Kirkpatrick adds: “Finally, as we were leaving the room, Hess delivered the parting shot. He said he had forgotten to emphasise that the proposal could only be considered upon the understnaa'ing that ft was negotiated with a British Government other than that in office. Mr. Churchill who had planned war since 1936, and his colleagues, who lent themselves to his war policy, were not the persons with whom the Fuehrer could negotiate.” Mr. Kirkpatrick states-that during the second interview,- Hess described his flight and parachuting. He said he was painfully surprised to oe lodged in a common cell in Glasgow. Hess then said that, on reflection, he found he had omitted two further conditions attached- to the peace proposals. Germany would require us to evacuate Iraq, and the peace agreement should contain provision for a reciprocal indemnification of British and German nationals whosT property had been expropriated as a result of the war. If we rejected the chance, it would be clear proof that we desired no understanding with Germany, and Hitler would be entitled—in fact it would be his duty —to destroy us utterly and keep us after the war in a permanent state of subjection. In his third interview, states- Mr. Kirkpatrick, Hess said that the subject of Ireland had never been mentioned, except incidentally, in his talks with Hitler. Ireland ha'd done nothing for Germany in this war, and it, therefore, was to be supposed that Hitler would not concern himself with Anglo-Irish relationsHess indicated that the Germans reckoned with American intervention in the war and were not afraid of it. He said they knew all about American aircraft production and the quality of the aircraft. Germany could outbuild Britain and the United States ".combined. • Germany had no designs against the United States. Hitler’s interests ' were European. If we made peace, the United States would be furious. The United States really wanted to inherit the British Empire. Hess concluded by saying that Hitler really wanted a permanent understanding with ' us on a basis which would preserve the Empire intact. His own flight was intended to. give us a chance to open conversation without loss of prestige. The Duke of Hamilton’s account of his talk with Hess stated that Hess had asked him if he could get members of his party together for a talk about peace. The Duke had replied that there was now only one party in this country. Hess said the terms included an arrangement whereunder Britain and Germany would never go to war. Britain must give up her traditional policy of always opposing the strongest power m Europe.