HESS INCIDENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21971, 24 May 1941, Page 9

HESS INCIDENT

Public Mystified Supposed Letter To Duke By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright . LONDODN, May 22. The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Archibald Sinclair), speaking In the House of Commons said: > “When Herr Hess came down with his aeroplane in Scotland on May 10 he gave a false name and asked to see the Duke of Hamilton. The Duke, on' being apprised by the authorities, visited Herr Hess at the hospital. Herr Hess then revealed for the first time his true Identity, saying he had seen the Duke when the latter zas at the Olympic Games in Berlin In 1936. The Duke did not recognise the prisoner and had never met Herr Hess. He had, however, visited Germany for the Olympic Games In 1936, and during that time had attended more than one large public function at which German Ministers were present. It was therefore quite possible that Herr Hess may have seen him on one such occasion. As soon a the Interview was over the Duke of Hamilton flew to England and gave a full report of what had passed to Mr Churchill, who sent for him. “Contrary to reports which have appeared the Duke has never been in correspondence with Herr Hess. None of the Duke’s three brothers, Who, like himself, are serving in the Royal Air Force, has either met Herr Hess or had correspondence with him. It will be seen that the conduct of the Duke of Hamilton has been in every respect honourable and proper.” Sir Archibald Sinclair’s statement that no letter from Herr Hess had reached the Duke of Hamilton of any responsible authority has further mystified the public. The Associated Press understands from the highest authority, that Herr Hess wrote to the Duke of Hamilton and that the authorities intercepted the letter, which was later shown to the Duke.

Sir Archibald Sinclair further adds to the confusion by not explaining why there was no earlier contradiction of the widespread reports that the Duke of Hamilton personally knew Herr Hess.