"A SICK MAN"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23965, 15 May 1941, Page 9

"A SICK MAN"

GERMAN STATEMENT

ALLEGED PEACE MISSION INFLUENCE OF ASTROLOGERS LONDON, May 13 It is stated in London that there are available so far only Berlin reports regarding the reasons for Hess' flight, but it was presumably the result of disagreements with other prominent Nazis, and possibly a natural and unbearable revulsion toward other members of the gang. Tho German radio announced that, as far as the letters left by Hess had been investigated, it seemed ho had the fantastic idea t hat by personal contact with certain Englishmen ho could readily achieve a British and German understanding. Hess had been a sick man for years, and recently he had sought relief from magicians, astrologers and similar persons. It remained to be seen how far these people were responsible for the mental disorder leading Hess to take the step he had taken. | He knew the Fuehrer's peace proposals better than anyone else, and thus obviously thought that by a personal interview he could bring to an end the horrible events which, in his eyes, could only lead to the destruction of Britain. "No Change in War" "The Nazi party," the German radio added, "regrets that this idealist took a fateful step tho consequences of which he was unable to foresee. This incident in no way changes the conduct of tho war, which will be waged until tho British are overthrown or are prepared for peace." The Berlin correspondent of tho American United Press states that the authorised Nazi spokesman s version of the Hess affair indicates that the Nazis are doing their utmost to discredit Hess, discounting as laughable that tho flight was the result or defeatism, becauso it was taken at a time of great German victories. The Nazis claim that if Hess was normal ho would have gone to Sweden or somo more accessible spot, and added that Goering had been made Hitler's first heir because Hess was generally of a retiring nature, and in a certain sense a singular man. "Matter Not Closed" The Hess family is as surprised as anyone else, the spokesman added. Additional communiques could be expected because the Hess matter was not closed. The Nazis refuse to disclose the wording of Hess' letter. Tho Berlin newspapers subordinated the story of Hess' flight, and "played np" the successes of tho German submarine and air warfare against Britain. The Italian newspapers published in inconspicuous positions Berlin's versions of Hess' flight

HESS WRITING

RESTS AFTER FLIGHT CHURCHILL MAY SEE HIM (Rood. 7.40 p.m.) LONDON. May 14 Hess spent most of yesterday resting and writing. He mnv shortly he visited I,v Mr. Churchill. Colonel Ivone Kirkpat riek. who was First Secretary at the British Embassy in Berlin from 19W t:> 1938, has had an interview with him. It is now disclosed that an extra petrol tank had been fitted in Hess' Messersehmitt. He also had on his I arrival a map with the route followed | marked in blue pencil, and packages of compressed food. Finding that it. was impossible to make a safe landing, Hess said, he opened up tin- throttles again and climbed to several thousand feet. He slowed down, turned the machine oyer on to its back, and, as he was baling out, opened up the throttles again to take the aircraft clear of him. The newspapers emphasise the remarkable achievement .oi the flight, indicating a high degree of physical and moral courage. Although Hess is known as an expert airman, it was his first flight in a Messersehmitt 110, and he had never before baled out. A photograph of Hess' machine showed bullet holes in the tail. Officials have suggested that Hess might have outdistanced German pursuers who ops'in d fire I'lie news of Hess' flight has been displayed with great prominence in the Spanish newspapers, both the British and German accounts having been printed in full. Statements made in Berlin confirm the general impression that Hess' flight has had a great effect on Germany. This was admitted by Government, officials this morning for the first time. J