CHANGE OF HEART

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 139, 14 May 1941, Page 8

CHANGE OF HEART

BELIEFS OF HESS

DISASTER FOR GERMANY.

GUILTY CONSCIENCE

(United Press Association—Copyright) (itec. 1.2 U p. in.) GUAjjON, May Id. According to a usually reliable quarter, the statements made by JUudolpli Hess indicate that he has undergone a change of heart and believes Germany is headed lor disaster. He believes he has been misguided and talks like a man - with a guilty conscience eager to dissociate himself from Nazi policy in order to escape responsibility \ for it.

I'be Government, it was emphasised, would not attempt to force Hess to tala. He would be treated as an honourable prisoner of war. It is understood he lias been taken to a quiet spot in the country where the tranquillity of bis surroundings might put him in the mood to speau more fully.

It is revealed that Hess greeted Ids capturer with the words - l come pi save humanity.”

lies;*,, in his first interviews talked of generalities iiulicatnig that the question ol a German lull partnership with Russia might be the cniet motive or his behaviour. Hess appeared affected almost to religious fervour. The German radio announced that as (ar as the letters left by Hess have been investigated it seems that lie had u fantastic idea that by personal contact with certain Englishmen he could readily achieve an AngloGerman understanding. ‘‘Hess is a sick man,” it adds. “For years recently he has sought relief from magicians. astrologers, and similar persons. It remains to he seen how far these people are responsible for the mental disorder leading Hess to take this step. He knew the Fuehrer's peace proposals better than anyone else; thus, obviously, he thought by personal interview lie could bring to an end the horrible events 'which in his eyes could only lead to the destruction of England. The Nazi Party regrets that this idealist took the fateful step the consequences of which he was unable to foresee. This incident in nowise changes the conduct 'ol the war, which will be waged until tlie British are overthrown or prepared for peace. A Berlin message states the newspapers have subordinated the story ol Hess's lliglit and played up the successes ol the German submarine and air warfare against Britain. A Rome report states that the newspapers published inconspicuous Berlin versions of Hess’s flight. A British Official Wireless message says: The arrival of Hess, said the Minister of Information (Mr Duff to-day, showed the first break in the Nazi Party since Hitler murdered a huge bloc of his followers on June JO, 1104. “Here is a man,” Mr Dull Cooper added, “who was so close to him a man obviously in possession of his faculties, since he was able to accomplish a flight successfully, a man who with the advantages he must have been enjoying in Germany—and we all know what the advantages are of the tyrant's friends —yet he prefers to leave that unhappy, miserable country ami fly at tremendous risk to lnmself ( to land on what is still a country ol the free.” Referring to Hess, Mr Churchill in the House of Commons stated: “I have nothing to add at present to the statement issued. Obviously a turthcr statement will be made in tlic near ( future oil the flight to this country of this very high important Nazi leader.