Fed: Letter by former PM underestimated Hitler threat: newspaper

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2001
Fed: Letter by former PM underestimated Hitler threat: newspaper

A secret letter written by Prime Minister ROBERT MENZIES, eight days after World War
II began with Hitler's armies invading Poland, is reported to say "nobody cares a damn
about Poland".

In the letter to STANLEY MELBOURNE BRUCE, the former prime minister who had become
High Commissioner in Britain, MENZIES also says it is indefensible for Australia to dictate
to the German people what sort of government they should have.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the self-styled "gloomy" letter questions the
ability of the Allies to sustain war against the "incredibly strong" German defensive
position.

The letter stated Germany, Italy and Japan may have decided it was time to carve up
Great and Greater Britain.

But MENZIES expresses confidence that HITLER had no desire for a first class war and
would offer peace talks after defeating Poland.

The letter from the Prime Minister's office in Canberra is dated September 11, 1939
and stamped "Secret".

AAP RTV as/psm/

KEYWORD: MENZIES HITLER (SYDNEY)

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