BITTER CRITICISM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23319, 12 April 1939, Page 12

BITTER CRITICISM

AMBASSADOR TO BERLIN t AMERICAN WRITER'S BOOK PRO-NAZI TENDENCIES LONDON, April 7 Bitter criticism of the British Ambassador in Berlin, Sir Nevile Henderson, is a feature of the book: "My Years in Germany," by Martha Dodd, daughter of a former United States Ambassador to Germany, Mr. W. E. Dodd. The writer says: "Sir Nevile Henderson did not hide his fondness for the Nazi leaders. On the contrary, in conversation with other diplomats, he admired their forceful handling of tho European situation, and even expressed the view that Austria should be annexed long before the German plan was made.

"The Austrian Minister was so insulted that he complained to his Government, which protested to Britain, resulting in Sir Nevile being called home and reprimanded. It did not euro him. "Even Sir Nevile's staff talked bitterly about him. Nevertheless, ho continued serenely."

Telling of the activities of the Gestapo (German secret police), the writer add/: "Even the United States suffered in the atmosphere of espionage. Servants could not bo trusted, while, because of fear, the house was wired for hidden dictaphones." Miss Dodd, when she wished to speak in confidence, covered the telephone with a cotton-stuffed box to defeat thq amplifier which might be hidden in the mouthpiece. Finally she made a habit of carrying out all confidential interviews in a park on benches. She believed that Germans decoded telegrams and opened diplomatic bags. Miss Dodd says she entertained her women friends in the bathroom, which was least likely to be wired for dictaphones.