HITLER’S TERMS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 August 1939, Page 5

HITLER’S TERMS

AN INTERVIEW WITH SIR N. HENDERSON, (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, August 26. Sir N. Henderson reached Croydon from Germany to-day at : 12.15. Ho proceeded at once, by car, to Downing 1 Street, where -Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax were waiting, A consider, able crowd had assembled at Downing Street in anticipation of important consultations, and in order to watch the comings and goings of Ministers and defence chiefs. After three hou rs’ conversation at Number 10, Downing Street, Mr Chamberlain and Sir N. Henderson later had an audience with the King, and they detailed the Ambassador’s interview with Herr Hitler. The Cabinet met at 5 p.m. to-day, ■ and it rose at 8.45 p.m. It is reassembling again to-morrow. No Cabinet- communique was issued'to-night. RUGBY, August 23. Sir N. Henderson’s decision to give a personal account ,to Lord Halifax (Foreign Secretary), of his long talk with Herr Hitler—the talk lasted for J well over an hour, but there was nq sec- ' ond interview, as has erroneously been stated in some reports—clearly .indicates his opinion that what the German •Chancellor had to 'Say I w i as : df considerable importance. Official quarters here have given no indication of what passed between Sir N. Henderson and Herr Hitler. Speculation is discouraged, ’and it is stated, regarding an article, emanating from Berlin, which appeared in a London newspaper, that the description which it purported to give of the interview • was totally devoid of foundation. Press and unofficial comment makes the assumption, founded on reports from Berlin, that the British Ambassador brought suggestions for a settle- f ment by negotiation, and, while they 1 even are more optimistic, the commen- ' tators do not go so far as to hope that ‘ Herr Hitler’s immediate proposals i would be such as the British Government would fell able to transmit to J Poland. 1

Some find encouragement in the fact that the Nazis would appear to have moved from the position that their claims on behalf of Germany against Poland cannot be made the subject of discussion or of compromise. Any inspired interpretations, or more or less imaginary reconstructions, of what passed between Sir N. Henderson and Herr Hitler should be treated with

the greatest scepticism. Sir N. Henderson himself was not armed with any in- ■ structions such as would have enabled him to discuss any suggestions on behalf of the British Government.

VERSION FROM ITALY

COLONIES AN ISSUE

LONDON, August 26,

The Rome correspondent of the Associated Press of Great Britain states: Herr Hitler’s proposals to be as follows :

Firstly : The return of Danzig to Ger. many.

Secondly: A'German motor highway across the Corridor.

Thirdly: The creation of a free port at Danzig for Poland. Fourthly: A German guarantee of the Polish frontiers, with a ten year non-aggression pact.

Fifthly: Negotiations with Britain for the return of Germany’s pre-war colonies, with a 25-year Anglo-German non-aggression pact.

“The Times” quotes a message from a correspondent in Germany, received at 4.30 a.m. to-day, which guardedly suggests that Herr in response to strong representations, from Sir.N. Henderson, has reduced, his maximum demands against Poland, and that he is believed to have, consented to a medium solution in the interests of peace, on the basis of the Lansing Note of 1919. This report confirms that Herr Hitler saw Sir N. Henderson twice. HITLER’S CONCESSION. BERLIN, August 26. The spokesman of the German Ministry of Propaganda admitted that Sir N. Henderson went to London with a new plan from Herr Hitler. He was expected to return with Britain’s reply before evening. The spokesman added, that Herr Hitler’s plan contained suggestions “for the settlement of 'the. issues, with Poland by negotiations rather than by force.” LONDON, August 27.

Sir N. Henderson is going to Germany by air to-day with the British Cabinet’s reply to Herr Hitler.