BREAK WITH GANG

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 139, 14 May 1941, Page 7

BREAK WITH GANG

REVULSION OF HESS. UNBEARABLE POSITION. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Pec. 10 a.m.) LONDON, May 13 It is stated in London 'that there are available thus far only Berlin reports regarding the reasons for Hess’s flight, but it is presumably the result of disagreements with other prominent Nazis and possibly a natural, unbearable revulsion towards the other members of the gang.

It is not known why Hess gave a false name at first, but possibly there has been some mistake regarding this. Any suggestion of lost memory is incorrect.

Hess is being treated as a prisoner of war and nobody will be allowed to see him.

A photograph of Hess's plane showed bullet holes in the tail. Officials suggested that Hess might have outdLtanced German pursuers who opened fire.

AN UNPALATABLE TRUTH (British Official Wireless.)

(Roc. 11.40 a.m.) RUGBY, May 13. The observance of silence in Germany about Hess’s flight until it could no longer lx: maintained will be readily understood. The German authorities were obviously placed in a position of acute difficulty by Hess’s action, proclaiming as it does the unpalatable truth that stress and differences exist in the Nazi hierarchy.

As presented to the German public, Hess is now reported to have, left behind papers tending to show lie thought he could achieve an understanding with England through' personal contacts.

On his arrival at the hospital Hess was served out with the usual hospital equipment and late this afternoon it was reported ho was very comfortable, although suffering slight pain in the ankle. An officer has been detailed to attend to the requirements of the patient, who is naturally tired alter his remarkable flight. In conversation with the officer from the Foreign Office who visited him in hospital, he attributed his tiredness to the fact that latterly lie had had little outdoor exercise and the strain of the flight had not worn off. Newspapers emphasise the remarkable achievement of the flight, indicating tlie high degree of physical and moral courage. Although it is known lie is an expert airman, it. was Hess’s first flight in a Messerschmitt 110, and he had never before baled out. An assurance by Afr Churchill in t*ic House of Commons of a further statement in the near future on Hess was given in response to a number of questions. One mcmlx'r asked Air Churchill to .see that the Minister of Information (Mr Duff Cooper) “dealt with the news of Hess’s flight with skill and imagination.” After an outburst of laughter, Mr Churchill rejiliod: “I had the opportunity of being in company with the Minister of Information up to a very late hour last night, but I think this is one of these cases where the imagination is somewhat baffled by tlie facts as they present themselves.”