Sensational Story Of Peace Planning With Germany

Northern Advocate, 18 January 1944, Page 3

Sensational Story Of Peace Planning With Germany

(Rec. 11.30 a.rn.) LONDON, Jan. 17. A report alleging discussions between leading Britons and Ribbentrop on terms for a separate peace with Germany is published by “Pravda,” says the Moscoav correspondent of the British United Press. The “Pravda” report, which comes from its own correspondent in Cairo, states: “According to information, from reliable Yugoslav and Greek circles, two leading English personalities recently conferred secretly Avith Ribbentrop in a coastal city of the Pyrenees. The object of .the meeting was to elucidate terms for a separate peace with Germany. It is believed that the meeting was not without results.” The message was dated January 12, but was not published until today, indicating either transmission delay or careful consideration being given to the desirability of publication. “Pravda” is probably one of the woxJd’s least sensational newspapers, and one of the most serious and responsible in Russia and its publication of such a story is exceptional. The correspondent adds that the report has caused something of a sensation, also bewilderment, in diplomatic circles in Moscow. Unless the rumour is immediately and convincingly denied, it is not calculated to increase in the Soviet citizen confidence in Britain. , “Rumours For Cairo” The National Broadcasting Corporation's Moscow correspondent, after quoting the Cairo report, says: “This story is unofficial. It is important to note that it comes from the special correspondent of ‘ Pravda ’ and although printed in the central organ of-the Communist Party, ‘Pravda’ carries it on the back page with the headline, ‘ Rumours from Cairo.’ ” There is no official Soviet comment. British officials say they cannot understand either the report or its publication. They do not believe it. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent also' cabled the story. Reuter comments that the report is not confirmed by any other source. Himmler a Aveek ago is reported to have demanded the recall of von Papen on the ground that he exchanged views with enemy powers through intermediaries. The German spokesman immediately denied all rumours of alleged peace feelers by von Papen as being fairy tales. Complete Denial

The Foreign Office has issued a complete denial of the story reported from Cairo. It adds that there is no truth whatever in the story. The British Embassy at Washington has also denied the report, \Affiich is described as completely false and without basis.