The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-07-11
Washington, D. G.

--rr washington, ~. VI
MORE ON 'HESS-MESS'
Following the outbreak of the
Nazi-Russian war, European capi-
tails buzzed with reports Of a Ger
man offer to Britain to make peace,
then turn their united forces against
Soviet Russia. These reports were
not empty rumors; they were abso-
lutely true.
Behind them is story of the most
audacious and astounding Nazi in
trigue of the war to date. Its open
ing scene was the sensational Hess
flight to Britain; its closing para
graph the surprise" Nazi declara-
ton of war on their ally, Red Russia.
The inner details of this BRAIN
reeling plot are not yet unraveied
and all of them won't leak out until
the history books are written. But
authorities have pieced it together
and it is now possible to get the main
outlines. &
Hatred of Communists.
Following the victorious Balkan
campaign which made Germany
master of Europe, powerful military
Nazi elements, always hating the
Communists, began urging peace
with Britain in exchange for a Brit
ish-German coalition against Rus
STA. After a bitter struggle inside
the Nazi party, Hitler sided with
the anti-Red group and the wheels
were set in motion to line up the
British.
It was realized that they would
have to be approached in such q
manner that they could not doubt
the authenticity of the Nazi plan. So
Hess was chosen for this mission.
Not only was he the one man in
Germany closest to Hitler, but he
was also known for his hatred of
Communism. And before the war
he had had contacts with the British
nobility.
So Hess, not flying alone, but ac-
companied by several guiding
planes; and not taking off from CEN
trail Germany as reported, but from
Norway, made his dramatic descent
on the estate of the Scotch duke of
Hamilton.
Hess Message.
The message brought by Hess in
substance was as follows:
~ Britain and Germany would
enter coalition as the chief part
ners in a new Axis; ~ Italy would
be placated with some minor pos
sessions of France, which would be
stripped of its empire; (3) Germany
would retain a free hand on the
whole of the continent, with Britain
helping to establish that free hand
by joining Germany in conquering
Russia.
The British governments answer
was to incarcerate Hess and imme-
diate1y notify Washington and Mos
COW Of the plan.
The subsequent chain Of events is
history. Darlan and Laval were
among the first to get wind of the
scheme, and rushed to Hitler Of
fering complete collaboration"
This drew whitening denunciations
from President Roosevelt and Sec
rotary Of State Hull.
Britain, which for months had
been trying to make up its mind
to attack in Syria, launched an Of
fensive with Free French forces to
seize this strategically vital region.
Then on June Is, British intelligence
got wind of quiet German withdraw
ais of air and other forces from
French bases. This was why the
British took the initiative in their
continuous day and night bombing
raids wreaking havoc on key Ger
man centers.
te- Russia Fearful.
Fearful Of attack and anxious to
appease in all directions, Moscow
abandoned its stiff-necked GOODNESS
to Japan and hurriedly signed q
pact in order to ensure at least tenn
porary tranquility on its eastern
border. simultaneously Stain aban-
doned his traditional behind-the-
scenes role and actively assumed
the reins as premier Of Russia.
RUSSIA began maSSlng lou DIVISIONS
on its western borders.
It was at this time that Ambassa-
dor John Winant returned to the
u. S. A. at the request Of Prime
Minister Churchill in order to give
President Roosevelt a complete fill-
in and to deliver categoric assur-
ances from Churchill that Britain
will never make peace with Hitler.
Note-The British government was
30 sure Hitler would attack Russia
that Churchill was able to prepare
and deliver his history radio address
only Is hours after Hitler invaded
Russia.
CAPITAL CHAFF
Sentiment is increasing in several
states for n ssFederal Union Of Ma.