-2- proposed a peace settlement on the following basis: (1) Germany to have a free hand in Europe and to receive her colonies back; (2) England to have a free hands in the British Empire; (3) Russia to be included in Asia but Germany intended to satisfy certain demands upon Russia either by negotiation or by war. Hess denied that Hitler contemplated an early att 5. Hess insisted however that Germany could only negotiate with an alternative British Government that did not include Mr. Churchill and his colleagues. If this opportunity were rejected Great Britain would be destroyed utterly and kept in a state of permanent subjection. 6. Hess was interviewed twice by the then members of His Majesty's Government, on June 9th, 1941 by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Simon and September 9th by Lord Beaverbrook. The object of these interviews was to ascertain any further information of value more particularly as regards the state of affairs in Germany. It has throughout been made clear to Hess that there was no question whatever of any talks or negotiations of any kind taking place with Hitler or his government. 7. The conclusion drawn by His Majesty's Government from these interviews was as follows: (a) Hess came on his own initiative. (b) He thought his mission had a considerable prospect of success. |