GERMAN PEACE FEELER

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20995, 23 December 1939, Page 7

GERMAN PEACE FEELER

ALLEGED OFFER THROUGH MUSSOLINI

WILL DEAL GENEROUSLY WITH POLAND

OUTBURST BY GOEBBEUS MUST WIN THE WAR

(United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 23, 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 22 The British United Press’ Rome correspondent says that according to political circles Signor Mussolini on December 21 entrusted Himmler with a special message to Hitler, after which Himmler, after telephoning Hitler, returned to Berlin a day earlier than expected. Officials decline to discuss reports that in effect the message refers to a Christmas peace offer, which, according to feelers from Germany, was received in Rome. It is understood that it suggested that if Britain and France abandoned their insistence on the reconstitution of Czecho-Slovakia and Austria Hitler was willing to deal generously as regards Poland. A Berlin message states that Dr. Goebbels, in an address at a political Christmas party, said Germany’s existence is at stake. The enemy is not concealing that its goal is to strike down Germany, and dismember and split her up. “Either we resign as a great power or win the war,” said Dr. Goebbels. “The plutocratic world is united against the Socialist German nation in the hope of annihilating it. Germany’s totalitarian war is united on the battle front and the home front by the same sacrifices and national obligations. We promise the soldiers that our home front will do its duty to bear the inevitable sacrifices, in order to lighten them. We shall talk peace only after victory.”

WEATHER FORECASTS

IMPORTANCE IN WARTIME ADVANTAGE TO THE ALLIES a CLOSELY-GUARDED SECRET (Official Wireless) (Received Dec. 23, 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 22 Full advantage is being taken by the Allies of their better opportunities for weather forecasting, the true value of which is not always appre - ciated. The forecasting of weather conditions is always an important factor in military strategy, and it has assumed immensely greater significance in modern air warfare. The Allies’ advantage arises from the fact that the prevailing winds come from the west. The British meteorological authorities are able to use the information gathered in North America, on the west coast of Ireland, and sometimes in the Atlantic, as well as the results of observations in Britain and France. Most of these sources are no longer available to German meteorologists, and in consequence the Allied commands know much more about coming weather conditions over Germany than the Germans themselves, while the German Air Force cannot generally foretell the weather over the British Isles. Weather news accordingly became a closely guarded secret on the outbreak of the war and the Air Ministry ceased to issue usual weather forecasts.

MR CHAMBERLAIN

CHRISTMAS IN COUNTRY (Official Wireless) (Received Dec. 23, 1.45 p.m.) RUGBY, Dec. 22 The Prime Minister will spend Christmas in the country, but will remain throughout in closest touch with affairs.

WAR MEASURES

OUTLAY FOR AUSTRALIA TOTAL OF £56,550,000 PRODUCTION OF PLANES (United Press Assu.—dec. Tel. copyngnt) (Received Dec. 23, 3 p.m.) MELBOURNE, Dec. 23 Special war measures will cost Australia £27,194,000 for the year 1939-40. The expenditure on all the defence services will be £56,555,000. The War Cabinet has confirmed plans for rapid expansion in the construction in Australia of warplanes and training craft. Approval has been given for the purchase of 100 more Wirraway planes and engines, the laying in of stocks of raw materials for another 100 Wirraways, the construction of 90 Bristol Beaufort bombers, the purchase of 350 Tiger Moths air frames, 250 Gipsy engines, and 50 Moth Minor planes in Australia and overseas.

RIOTS IN YUGOSLAVIA

COMMUNIST DEMONSTRATIONS ARREST OF STUDENTS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) BELGRADE, Dec. 22 The Government of Yugoslavia is stamping out Communist demonstrations. Hundreds of university students have been arrested and put into concentration camps. Those arrested include sons and daughters of notable tamihvju

STALIN’S BIRTHDAY

A NOTABLE ABSENTEE LEADING ANTI-BRITISH SPIRIT NO MILITARY GLORY (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 23, 11.55 a.m.) NEW YORK, Dec. 22 The Moscow correspondent of the New York Times, Mr Gedye, says that the only prominent Soviet personage and he is one of the most prominent and often mentioned as Stalin’s own choice as his successor, whose tribute on the occasion of Stalin’s birthday, was conspicuous by its absence, is Andrey Zhdanoff, leader of the Leningrad area, avowedly the leading anti-Finland spirit, who is believed to have succeeded despite considerable opposition from the Political Bureau, which advocated Stalin’s usual waiting tactics and cautious methods. Zhdanoff also is considered to be the leading anti-British spirit. The Finnish campaign so far has not brought military glory to Russia, Finnish People’s Government is calculated to force the Soviet to attempt the complete military subjugation of Finland, which only a great statesman could accomplish. The omission of Zhdanoff’s tribute to Stalin may be a coincidence, but in view of the above circumstances it is most interesting.

TRADE AGREEMENT

GERMANY AND RUMANIA BIG SUPPLIES OF OIL EXCHANGE FOR ARMAMENTS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 22 A“ trade agreement between Rumania and Germany has been signed. Rumania is to supply 1,156,000 tons of oil a year, and to stabilise the prices of products in which Germany is interested; and is reciprocally to receive armaments from Czechoslovakian Arms for which she already holds credits. The exchange rate has been fixed at 49.5 lei to one reichmark. Commenting on the pact the United Press correspondent at Bucharest says diplomats believe that the reported German pledge to guarantee Rumania’s frontiers is genuine. The Bucharest correspondent of the New York Times says the new rate of exchange will enable Germany to buy Rumanian goods 22 per cent, cheaper, and give her an advantage over Britain and France in competition for Rumanian oil and wheat. It will reduce the German debt to Rumania by 132,000,000 lei. It is likely that German exports to Rumania will suffer unless adequate compensation is arranged. It is believed that Italy will benefit most. TRADE UNION LEADERS RECEIVED BY THE KING CANADIAN FORCE COMMANDER (Official Wireless) (Received December 23. 11 a.m.) RUGBY. Dec. 23 At Buckingham Palace this morning Sir Walter Citrine, general sec retary of the Trades Union Congress, was received in audience by the King, who since the outbreak of the war has received a number of trade union leaders. The King later received MajorGeneral McNaughton, Commanding Officer of the Canadian Force in England.