THE HESS EPISODE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24613, 22 May 1941, Page 8

THE HESS EPISODE

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT “ NAUSEATING RHAPSODIES ” RUGBY, May 20. Answering a series of questions on Hess in the House of Commons, Mr Churchill said he was not in a position to make a statement and was not sure when he would be. As far as he had been advised, Hess was being treated as a prisoner of war, and would receive treatment appropriate to a prisoner of war. Major S. V Adams (Con.) said: " While I fully appreciate the need for discretion in this matter, has the Government actively in mind the possibility that the whole stunt may be a common or garden plant, and also will you discourage sections of the press from renewing their nauseating rhapsodies on this bloodstained crook? ’’

Mr Churchill replied: “1 certainly do not feel that I ought to detract in- any way from the vehemence of Major Adams’s statement." Asked if he had noticed a press description of Hess as an idealist, Mr Churchill replied: “ I do not think I can indulge in this retrospective censorship of the press. The Germans gave a different guidance every day, and the press naturally endeavoured to -satisfy the public by recording all kinds of details that came to their hands. It seems to me that the whole episode lias been entertaining as well as important."