The Wilmington morning star., 1945-04-29
.S0L0N SIGHTS
VICTORY SOON
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At that time, Connally added
that the announcement was to have
been made earlier this afternoon
in Washington-but for some rea-
son was held up.
Connally's earlier statement was
given with the stipulation that ii
be used without atribuion, pend
ing he formal announcement he
predicted. But he removed the re-
striction after the Washington de-
NAL.
Another member of the delega-
ton, reached after Connally's ear
lier statement, also said the an
nouncement was expected ''hour-
ly."
The Texan declined to disclose
the source of his information, but
said it came from authoritative
quarters.
The senator told reporter he
believed the official word OF Ger
many's military collapse would be
forthcoming in matter OF hours.
Connally said his Information
was that the surrender offer orlgl
mated with Heinrich Himmler with
the exclamation that Adolf Hitler
was i'll and that Himmler was &C
ting in Hitler's stead.
From Secretary of State Stettin
ius. however, came-and that IN
directly-only the word that ne
had made no statement and Woulc
have none.
When reports of the delegation
members statement reached the
opera house this afternoon, during
the fourth plenary session of the
United Nations Conference, the
delegates broke into cheering.
Soviet Foreign Commissar V. M
Molotov, presiding for the frs
time over the sessions, finally re
stored order, raising his hand fol
silence. But the delegates stream
ed out of the building as the
Uruguayan Foreign Minister Jose
Serrato, then being translated into
English, was completed.
The celebration carried over in
TO hotel delegation headquarters
but was dampered quickly by
word from Washington the Presi
dent Truman had said the victory
report was unfounded.
Connally's statement this after
noon climaxed day in which i
was learned here that Himmlel
had tried to surrender Germany tt
the United States and Britain alone
and had been rebuffed with wore
that only the unconditional sur
render to these and Russia alst
could be accepted.
Confirmation of this report CAM
through from Moscow tonight ant
an air of tense expectancy grippet
the delegates gathered here from
As nations.
The delegates still felt victory il
Europe was imminent.
At Least one Allied chief of gov
eminent was known to be writing
statement, to be issued upo1
the formal announcement of Ger
man surrender.
1t was reported that an ultima
tum had been given by the Ger
mans calling for complete, uncon
ditional surrender by Tuesday.
The ultimatum was delivered tt
the Nazi government controlled by
Heinrich Himmler, it was said, witt
this alternative:
intensified destruction of what re
mains of the physical assets O
Germany, plus ruthless pressure TO
the utter destruction of her re
naming military force.
Subsequently Secretary of Stat,
Stettinius declined any comment
He showed reporters note to Con
nally D-Tex) sitting next to hin
on the United Nations Conferenc,
floor. They conversed briefly.
10 a messenger who delivere,
inc note to him, Secretary Stet
tlnlus gave this word:
Il have nothing to say.''
The United States, Russia an,
Britain were reported to have act
ed together in delivering the ulti
matum after the United States ant
Britain fatty rejected a bid b,
hlmmler to surrender to then
alone.
Himmler, whose ability to give
up the country evidently is highl,
regarded by military officials, i
believed to be seeking some dea
Tor his own personal protection.
He is understood to have tole
the Allies that he is acting as heat
OF the government because Adolf
Hitler, is dying.
These reports come to the AS
ISOLATED Press from officers VIII,
cannot now be identified.
They are known only to a few
and those among the highest
Of the delegates attending the Unit
ed Nations conference.
Officials here for the United
Nations conference indicate a be
lief that Himmler actually is cap
able of surrendering the remnant,