THE WAR

Patea Mail, 16 May 1941, Page 2

THE WAR

THE REASON WHY Otto Strasser, a founder of the Nazi Party, now a refugee in Canada, expressed a belief, in a special interview, that the escape of Hess indicates that Germany Army chiefs and Goering seek to overthrow the Nazi Party, and, within one hour of Goering’s succession to power,, Goebbels and Himmler would be shot dead.

Hess also knew his life was not worth a moment’s purchase in Germany. Consequently he fled. Goering was closer to the Prussian Army and the great industrialists than anyone. Hess, on the other hand, has always been Hitler’s closest and most trusted friend.

Party leader Stresser, who fled from Germany after a break with Hitler In 1931, declared there is intense jealousy between Goering, Hj||er and Hess, and Goering and HimnSSr,

Stresser suggested a four-point plan for defeating Germany:— Firstly, anti-Hitler propaganda aming German prisoners of war. Secondly, organised propaganda directed to German nationals in the United States and South America.

Thirdly, the creation of an independent, free German Legion modelled on de Gaulle’s Free French plafi. Fourthly, the creation of an authoritative German National Council of leaders in exile . Strasser feels certain that Hitler will attempt an invasion of England, even if it moans destruction of the German army and the signing of his, own death warrant.