LATEST FEELERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 7 December 1940, Page 5

LATEST FEELERS

HITLER'S PEACE HOPES SYMPTOMS RECOGNISED IN LONDON EFFECT NOT ACHIEVED [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] Received 7th Dec., 10.30 a.m. LONDON, 6th December. German-inspired quarters are circulating suggestions of a negotiated peace, the first move toward which would be German mediation in the Greek-Italian war. In London these symptoms are well recognised. From time *to time surreptitious peace feelers have been put- out by Hitler between the fits of blind fury which he marks by savage bombing and blood-curdling propaganda, but during the past week German propaganda has been leading up to a i new peace offensive by proclaiming every hour and in all languages that Britain’s industries and cities are lying in ruins, that | most of our shipping has been sunk, and that our Empire is rapidly falling into a state of disintegration.

An emphatic declaration on behalf of the British Government that it is impossible to discuss peace terms while Germany and the most of Europe remain in the grip of Hitler’s abominable dictatorship was made in the House of Commons to-day by Mr Attlee, leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party and member of the War Cabinet

It is observed in London that the German peace propaganda campaign has failed to achieve the effect intended because the true state of affairs is too obvious to be concealed. Here are some of the facts which have emerged in the past few days for all the world to see:—

The Italian partner in the Axis is in danger of very serious defeat in Albania. The Japanese partner in the Axis has just received a military reverse in China and a diplomatic rebuff from Russia. Hungary and Rumania, the junior partners in the Axis, are at loggerheads. Turkey and the Arab world have more emphatically than ever demonstrated their faith in a British victory and their determination to bar Germany’s way. The attitude of the neighbouring Balkan States has stiffened. Spain is pursuing a policy of neutrality and has signed a trade pact with Britain. France is strenuously resisting the attempt to involve her in the war on Germany’s side. The other conquered countries of Europe are hardening their resistance. Germany herself is being hard hit by the Royal Air Force and the blockade. The move to increase aid for Britain in the United States is gaining momentum. The Empire has shown itself more united than eyer. The British public have not shown the slightest sign of breaking under the air terror.

This situation has been noted by neutrals. The Soviet army organ “RedStar” has declared that Germany’s successes have been due to her opponents’ weaknesses, but that she now faces a long and exhausting conflict with a first-class adveisary, and the side with the strongest economy and the greatest resources will win.

That Germany now should be canvassing the possibilities of a compromise peace will be taken merely as confirmation that it is not Britain but Germany that feels herself in a dangerous situation.

CRAMPING HITLER’S STYLE

RECENT SEVERE SETBACK POLISH ANALYSIS OF WAR’S SECOND PHASE [British Official Wirelessj RUGBY, sth December. The Polish Minister of Information, Professor Stromeski, in the first of a series of relay talks in the BBC programme addressed to the people of Poland, said: “So far there have been two different periods in this war. Up to the middle of 1940 everything fell to Hitler so easily that it might have been offered to him and to the Third Reich on a gold plate. He conquered Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium and Holland and finally Fiance. “There there began the second period, when design and achievement were no longer in accoid. “After having gained the Atlantic coast of France and the Channel ports the Nazis tried to prepare an invasion of Gi’eat Bi’itain, supported by air raids on the largest scale. In the great air battle in September he was defeated with tremendous losses. “Since then Hitler has had to cover up failure with successes such as the subjugation of Rumania and the entrance of Slovakia into the Axis-Japan pact. His diplomatic r'tivity has been demonstrated by meetings with Marshal Petain and M. Molotov, but the results of these meetings did not correspond with the expectations that were fostered by German propaganda. Great events were forecast, but the events did not occux*. “The position has changed. Before, Hitler was able to act according to his desires; now his desires are limited by what he is able to achieve. "In this second period of the conflict Germany has begun to feel the war at home more than ever before. Since the days of Napoleon the Germans had not experienced a war on their own soil, and with the continual heavy bombing by the Royal Air Force they are beginning to realise what it means.”