“CAIRO RUMOURS”

Waikato Times, Volume 194, Issue 22248, 18 January 1944, Page 3

“CAIRO RUMOURS”

RUSSIAN PAPER’S REPORT LONDON, Jan. 17 A report alleging discussions between leading Britons and von Ribbentrop on terms for a separate peace with Germany has been published by the Pravda (Russia), says the British United Press Moscow correspondent. The Pravda report comes from its own correspondent in Cairo and states: “According to information from reliable Yugoslav and Greek circles, two leading English personalities recently conferred secretly with Ribbentrop in a coastal city in the Pyrenees. The object of the meeting was to elucidate terms for a separate peace with Germany. It is believed the meeting was not without results.” The message is dated January 12, but was not published until today, indicating either transmission delay or that careful consideration was given to the desirability of publication. The Pravda is probably one of the world’s least sensational newspapers and one of the most serious and responsible in Russia. Its publication of such a story is exceptional. The correspondent adds that the report caused something of a sensation, also bewilderment in diplomatic circles in Moscow. Unless i.he rumour was immediately and convincingly denied it was not calculated to increase the confidence of the Soviet citizen in Britain. The National Broadcasting Corporation’s Moscow correspondent, after quoting the Cairo report, says: “This story is unofficial. It i.s important to note that it comes from a special correspondent of the Pravda, and although printed in the central organ of the Communist Party, the Pravda carries it on a back page with the headline, ‘Rumours from Cairo.’ There is no official Soviet comment. “British officials say they cannot understand either the report or its publication. They do not believe it. Reuter’s Moscow correspondent also cabled the story. Reuter comments that the report is not confirmed by any other source. “Himmler a week ago is reported to have demanded the recall ot von Papen on the ground that he exchanged views with enemy Powers through intermediaries. The German spokesman immediately denied all rumours of alleged peace feelers by von Papen as being fairy tales.” The British Foreign Office has issued a complete denial of the story and adds that there is no truth whatever in the story. The British Embassy at Washington also has denied the report, which is described as completely false and without basis.

Range forming an effective inland barrier. A determined enemy stand is expected between Saidor and Bogadiim, 40 miles to the west. Bogadjim is 17 miles south-east of the strong Japanese base at Madang, where the enemy is known to have heavy troop concentrations. £he Japanese positions along this coastline are under constant Allied air attacks. General MacArthur’s communique reports an attack by Allied fighters on the aerodrome at Alexishafen, about 12 j miles north of Madang. Three Jap- j anese bombers and a fighter were destroyed on the ground and fires j started among the supply dumps'. Liberators made a heavy attack j against Uligan Harbour, pounding gun positions, buildings and stores and the mission jetty with 96 tons of bombs. A two-masted enemy j schooner was destroyed by Light-! nings at Bunabun. At Cape Gloucester. New Britain. American marfhes captured Hill 660. j a key defensive position, in the enemy’s Borgen Bay line strongly organised on a commanding height. 1 The marines are now mopping up i 1 and consolidating their gains. i