CAREER OF HESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24606, 14 May 1941, Page 7

CAREER OF HESS

DEVOTION TO LEADER POWERFUL FORCE IN PARTY A POPULAR FIGURE The ability of Herr Hess to fly the plane in which he reached Scotland is explained by the fact that he was a flying officer in the last war. The son of a German import merchant, he was born in Alexandria, and it is said that he was to have gone to England to complete his education, which was begun in Germany, when the war broke out. He joined up first with the artillery, and was twice wounded before he entered the Flying Corps. A bitter opponent of Communism, he served after the peace with General von Epp against the. Munich Reds. His association with the Nazis began when he became Hitler's first bodyguard, and subsequently he was the Fuhrer's private secretary. Since that time he has been closer to Hitler thaii any other member of the party. In fact, his whole life and ambitions have been bound up with those of his leader, his attitude to whom has been described as one of "slavish adoration." Oswald Dutch, author' of "Hitler's Twelve Apostles," says that Hess served Hitler from the beginning,with almost doglike devotion and in the stormy beginnings of the party's career always leaped forward to defend his master, who referred to him as "my brave Maurice." Though he is said to be one of the few Nazi leaders who come of good family and had a good upbringing, he was at Hitler's bidding "a ruffian, impetuous, and violent." He will carry for the rest of his life scar which he received when he was struck on the head with a beer mug in one of the party brawls. Influence on Hitler He is also credited with having given Hitler's "Mein Kampf" its proper shape when they were imprisoned together after the abortive " beer hall" putsch of 1923. Dutch says that Hitler was not then able to produce his confused and tumultuous thoughts in a form suitable for the publisher, and that Hess, who was better educated, put them on paper. "The influence of Hess on Hitler," Dutch wrote, "is very great, not only because, as his former bodyguard and private secretary, he is entrusted with every detail of the Fuhrer's life, of the movement and its personal circle, but also because he has most certainly a better knowledge of human nature than Hitler. Party members who meet Hess are often astonished that he speaks with almost the same diction as the Fuhrer himself. ... It is said that Hitler originally wished Hess to take first place as his successor and not Goering, as announced on September 1, 1939. But Goering proved himself the stronger and vainer man, so that Hess had to retire." A Popular Figure John Gunther, author of "Inside Europe;" describes Hess as " retiring in character, genuinely modest, and very popular." "The strength of Hess, Gunther writes, "lies in his closeness to Hitler. ..It is very difficult to,get to Hitler on any political or party business except through Hess." His appointment as Hitler's deputy was described by Gunther as sound politics. With his usual perspicacity, said that author, Hitler chose as his deputy the one man in Germany who was not ambitious for a better job. Other commentators are agreed on Hess's power in the Nazi machine. Described as a model of healthy, powerful manhood, he is also said to be more forceful in character, though less imaginative, than the leader whom he now appears to have deserted. Ine Fuhrer has lost one who was regarded as his "right hand." and the world awaits the development of one of the great dramas of modern international politics.