HESS’S FRIENDS ARRESTED

Southland Times, Issue 24439, 20 May 1941, Page 6

HESS’S FRIENDS ARRESTED

REPORTS OF PURGE IN GERMANY

HITLER WATCHES LEADERS

LONDON', May 18. The British Broadcasting Corporation, broadcasting to Germany, said that there are widespread reports of an extensive purge in Germany and of many arrests. Those arrested are former associates of Herr Rudolf Hess, particularly those who shared his interest in the occult.

A message from Gothenburg (Swed- , en) says that the Goteborg Posten’s Berlin correspondent reports that Frau Hess was arrested two days ago and that a multitude of arrests followed the flight of Hess. Hundreds were arrested in Berlin. The police are even arresting anyone caught discussing the Hess affair. The correspondent adds that the Gestapo is questioning Professor Messerschmitt about the plane Hess used. 9 It is also reported that Hitler, since the flight of Hess, has issued an order that the Nazi leaders must remain near his person. Reichmarshal Goering is reported to have had to cancel a hunting trip as a result of the order. Hess’s plane is not to be exhibited in London as circumstances make its showing impracticable. REPORT FOR MR CHURCHILL A full report of all the statements made by Hess since his landing by parachute in Scotland has been sent to Mr Churchill. The examination of HenHess has been carried out in German and a translation prepared. The contents of the report are being kept a close secret.

Everything that is recorded is being carefully examined and minutely checked by intelligence officers to test the value and reliability of Hess’s statements. While the German radio for its home audience still keeps silent, the German Minister of Propaganda, Dr Josef Goebbels, appears at last to have decided on the version of the affair that he is going to hand out for foreign consumption. This version, which contradicts Dr Goebbels’s previous accounts, was given in a talk by Dr Gerhardt Dohm to Portugal. Contradicting the original official communique on Hess, he said. “Hess is not a, man of confused ideas; he is not the victim of hallucination; he is a fanatical idealist who believed that he could persuade England to make peace and so prevent the break-up of the British Empire and the elimination of the English nation.” Dr Dohm further denied that Hitler had appointed Hess his successor in his speech of September 1, 1939. For this and other reasons it is clear why the German radio dare not give this account of the matter to their home listeners.

The next point in Dr Dohm’s talk was that the incident had now closed. “One cannot speak,” he said, “of any shock among the German people. This is proved by the fact that the affair is no longer discussed.” That, in fact, the German authorities know that the matter is by no means closed is shown by their attempts to discount in advance any statements Hess may make. Thus, a German commentator speaking to South America said: “We can expect sensational statements which the English radio will attribute to Hess, but you should all remember his status as a prisoner of war and that his declarations cannot be tested.”

In fact, as the head of the Nazi organization with agents everywhere, Hess knew more than anyone else of the condition of the Nazi Party and, as Hitler’s confident, he is bound to be well acquainted with Germany’s plans.