Berlin
Berlin, early Friday evening. In the silvery twilight of a beautiful high summer day, the soft light came through tall windows from the outside garden into the spacious and darkly paneled reception room of the Reich’s Chancellery. To one side stood Foreign Minister Konstantin Freiherr von Neurath taking congratulations from various notables for the successful signing earlier in the week in London of the Anglo-German Naval Treaty. The accord allowed for the significant expansion of the German navy and therefore represented another massive breach in the Versailles Treaty, the hated treaty that ended World War I but settled few of the underlying grievances. Now, German diplomacy was on the march.
One bewhiskered face asked, “Is it true the British did not consult the French before signing the treaty?”
The foreign minister smiled broadly, welcoming the question. “We do not comment on any possible divergences between London and Paris. What is important is that Berlin and London see eye-to-eye on naval issues. An exciting new development.”
Another voice asked with a Prussian boom, “Is Stresa dead?”
Neurath replied with a humorously quizzical expression, “Stresa? You mean the alliance concluded in April between Great Britain, France, and Italy?”
Heads in the group nodded yes.
“Why, it barely lived!”
Laughter rippled across the group.
The Leader
Across the room in front of tall windows framed by soft blue drapes stood Reichspräsident and Führer Adolf Hitler. He was speaking to two attractive and attentive women in resplendant formal dresses, sparkling jeweled necklaces lay on soft white skin below their graceful bare shoulders. The ladies held champagne glasses in front of them. The Führer wore a light brown jacket with a simple Iron Cross First and Second Class below the left breast pocket, earned the hard way in bitter fighting on the Western Front. Underneath the jacket was a plain white shirt and black tie; black pants completed the unpretentious but dignified formal uniform. The Führer was not some bemedalled monarch strutting the stage like a peacock, rather an understanding leader of the masses, elegant in his understatement.
Hitler spoke with charm and understanding to the two ladies, “Germany is rearming exclusively for defense and the maintenance of peace.”
The two women smiled in pleased agreement. He continued, “The German people, having regained their honor, may be privileged in independent equality to make their contribution towards the pacification of the world in free and open cooperation with other nations.”
The two women beamed with approval at the prospect of Germany resuming its rightful place in what was sure to be the coming prosperity of nations. Hitler, looking over the shoulders of the ladies, saw a general enter the hall and quickly spoke to the two ladies, “Ah, I see General von Blomberg has arrived. I must go over and greet him.” Hitler gave a small bow from the waist, stood up erect, smiled, and moved to walk away; the women murmured their thanks to him for taking the time to explain Germany’s promising prospects to them.
General Werner von Blomberg, minister of defense, saw the Führer walk across the polished floor towards him, turned to an aide and whispered something, and then stepped away from the circle and met the Führer discreetly at a distance from the other guests.
Hitler approached, reached out his hand and shook General von Blomberg’s in warm greeting. Then he reached his arm out and guided the general farther away from the guests while saying, “General, our diplomacy is securing Germany its rightful place among nations. This is the happiest day of my life. The London Naval Treaty may mark the beginning of an Anglo-German alliance. All Europe must stand united against the threat of Bolshevism.”
General von Blomberg warmly replied, “You have accomplished more in months than the Wiemar Republic in years.”
Hitler smiled in smug satisfaction, then his expression changed indicating a move to business. “When I visited your headquarters in May, we set in motion plans for a future military operation.”
General von Blomberg nodded. “Yes, the reoccupation of the Rhineland by our military forces. The staff is planning the operation.”
Hitler warmed, rubbing his hands together. “Good. Originally we thought 1937 would be the year. But you should plan to go earlier if the opportunity presents itself. Events are going Germany’s way,” and Hitler swept his glance across the gathering of guests celebrating his most recent triumph.
General von Blomberg followed Hitler’s eyes and nodded in complete agreement. Hitler delivers results, he thought.
Hitler continued, “Remember, the remilitarization of the Rhineland is not aggression against France. It is just to reestablish Germany’s right to maintain the security of its territory within its borders under the natural rights belonging to all sovereign nations.”
General von Blomberg agreed, “The Reichswehr is sworn to that duty, mein Führer.”
Hitler smiled and said, “Let me not keep you from your guests,” and concluded the conversation.