£1000,000,000 Loan to Germany?

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 172, 24 July 1939, Page 7

£1000,000,000 Loan to Germany?

To Turn From War To Peace Economy

EUROPEAN WEEK-END SENSATION STORY ASTOUNDS CHAMBERLAIN (Independent Cable Service.) Received Sunday, 11.43 p.m. , LONDON, July 23. The story that Germany has been unofficially offered £IOOO,000,000 loan by Britain to make peace created a sensation in Europe over the week-end, especially as the report immediately followed the Berlin spokesman’s statement of Nazi hope 3 of a peaceful solution at Danzig which was responsible for a notable upward trend on Wall Street. According to the story certain influential unofficial Britons suggested to Herr Wohltat that if Herr Hitler agreed to disarm a vast loan might be given to Germany enabling her to restore her industry and also help Germany to recover the trade she would need if she gave up manufacturing armaments on a huge scale. She would also be permitted to share with the possessors of African colonies the development of these possessions. The story was given the greatest prominence in the three strongest anti-appeasement newspapers, tho News-Chronicle, the Daily Telegraph, and the Mirror, but tho Sunday newspapers carry a categorical denial by the British Government spokesman who declares that Mr. Chamberlain and other Cabinet Ministers are a3toundod at the story.

The Sunday Express says the loan would be the biggest blackmail payment in history. It understands that Herr Wohltat, who is a close friend of Marshal Goering, had contact with a person closely connected with the British Government but not a member of Cabinet. The plan was suggested to Herr Wohltat not as a cut and dried series of proposals, but a 3 an idea which might be put up to Hitler.