PAYMENTS MADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23504, 15 November 1939, Page 12

PAYMENTS MADE

CLAIM BY PEINCESS LORD ROTHERMERE'S STORY OPINION OF HITLER'S AIDE By Telograph—Fresi Association —Copyright LONDON, Nov. 13 Giving evidanco on the resumption of the caso in which Princess Stefanie, of Hohenlohe-Waldenburg, alleges breach of contract against him, Viscount Rotliermere, denied that ho paid the Princess for silence. Ho'said between July, 1932. and January, 1938, ho paid her "considerably moro than £51,000." Lord Rotliermere added that ho was in touch in 1932 with Hungarian magnates who wanted to restore the Hapsburgs, but could not afford a proper income for them. Ho offered to contribute £25,000 for five years. Ho emphasised that :tio advocated justice for Hungary entirely on his own initiative because ho thought that on the death of President Elindenburg the whole of Central Europe might be in tho melting pot. The restoration of tho Hohenzoillerns and Hapsburgs would have been the only way to stabilise tho position. Questioned concerning his relations with Hitler's former aide, Captain Wiedemann, Lord Rotliermere stated thlit he once thought Captain Wiedemann a man of the highest character. He changed his view in the autumn of 1935, when Captain Wiedemann and the Princess improperly brought pressure on him to settle an action. Mr. G. H. Beyfus, K.C., counsel for tho Princess, read a cablegram that Lord Rotliermere sent to Captain Wiedemann early in 1939 stating: "Everyone is aware that no conduct of yours at any time is capable of censure." Lord Rothermero said the Prime Minister and others in London wanted the best possible terms from Germany, and "therefore I telegraphed Captain Wiedemann in that strain because 1 knew he had great influence and would be able to carry on the Munich spirit."