BID FOR PEACE

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21582, 19 November 1941, Page 5

BID FOR PEACE

YON PAPEN’S VIEWS THREATS TO BRITAIN TURKEY AS MEDIATOR (United Tress Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 18 Both sides spoke too much about an ideological war and threatened not to cease fighting until the enemy was annihilated, therefore it was incomprehensible to perceive how an invitation to lay down arms could be accepted, said the German Ambassador to Turkey, von Papen, in his recent interview given in Ankara, as published yesterday in the Spanish newspaper Vanguardia, a Falangist journal in Barcelona. Interpretations of the interview have been given by various correspondents, but apparently it was intended for publication only in Spain. Von Papen said he hoped that “the growing difficulties, prolongation of the war against the Communists and their extermination, will bring wiser counsels to all Governments.” He added that Britain would be obliged to put forth enormous efforts

to carry on the war when the conclusion of the Eastern campaign would imperil the Empire’s bastions. It was laughable to attribute President Inonu’s recent reference to Turkey as a peace mediator to German pressure or wishes. Costly Russian Campaign Von Papen is also reported to have told the Vanguardia’s representative that the Russian campaign was extremely costly to both sides, and to have said that Turkey would be expected to give Germany certain transit facilities for an attack on Egypt. The interview is generally in- j terpreted by correspondents as a ; new bid by Germany for peace | with Britain, with Turkey as i mediator, when Germany has ' concluded what is described as ] the “decisive stage” of the cam- j paign in Russia. The Germans are stated to be anxious that reports of a peace of- ; fensive should not reach the ears of the German people and the Italians, as they might be interpreted as signs of weakness. According to one correspondent, a German official described the reports as “hypocritical” and added that it was “to our and everyone’s surprise.’

In view of the recent repudiation by the Wilhelmstrasse of the reported German intention of launching a peace offensive, says the British official wireless, the interview given by von Papen to neutral journalists is viewed with interest in London. It clearly reveals the hesitation and uncertainty of German policy in face of the third winter of war, with the Russian campaign still without any signs of finishing. Von Papen is reported to have uttered threats to Britain if she refused an armistice, and to the occupied countries if they declined to assist Germany in her aims. This would seem to confirm the belief in London that Germany has put, or intends to put, pressure on European neutrals in connection with her projected peace plans. Threat of Starvation

Another interesting point is his reported reference to the likelihood of Germany’s exhaustion as a result of the Russian campaign, and the implied admission that she will be in no position to exploit Russian resources immediately. The possibility of von Papen attempting to present a picture of a weakened and exhausted Germany, in order to induce neutrals to relax their vigilance, has not escaped notice. His threat that the new order will be imposed on Europe by force and starvation, if necessary, shows that the Nazis are themselves under no illusions as to the unpopularity cf their new order, or as to the possibility of its unopposed acceptance.

According to an interpretation of the interview published on Monday, von Papen said: “The Russian campaign will be a difficult struggle, with ups and downs, but Germany will win. However, the Reich will be exnausted when the struggle is concluded, and will demand an armistice. Britain had better accept the armistice when it is offered, because with her territorial gains Germany will be the strongest country on the European Continent, and if she is forced to fight on she will gather all the resources of the Continent for the struggle. The war will then continue for several years, until the Reich wins.”

EXECUTION OF JEWS MORE NAZI BARBARITY (United Press Assn.— Elec. Tel. Cupyrlg&t) LONDON, Nov. 18 The Moscow radio stated that the Germans had executed 50,000 Jews in Kiev, men, women and children. About 4000 deaths are reported among 680 young Dutch Jews in a concentration camp in Upper Austria, says the Times. The death rate in the last three weeks of September was 50 a week. All indications are that the death' rate was due to extremely hard labour, cruel treatment, but nutrition and unhygenic conditions.