Der Fuehrer - Hitler's Rise to Power (1944) - Heiden

WAR IN THE RUHR 175adversary of the republic, became Chancellor; at the end of a fewmonths he relinquished this post, but remained Foreign Minister, and foryears after that remained the political leader of Germany. Stresemannwanted peace and a real rapprochement with the victors. To regain herstrength, Germany needed peace, and to enjoy peace she would have toresign herself to certain conditions which she might consider unjust.England promised to exert a moderating influence on France; Americanand English banks promised a large loan to bolster up German finances,for the restoration of German economy and the stabilization of theGerman currency, which late in the fall of 1923 had reached the lowpoint of 1 : 1,000,000,000,000. On September 24, 1923, the Germangovernment broke off the Ruhr War unconditionally.Unconditional surrender — Hitler's triumph! His forecasts came true,the war on the Ruhr was lost; here was Germany's defeat, by Fatenecessary for his victory. Everywhere in Germany the murderers' armyleaped to its feet. One day after the end of the Ruhr War, Rohmproposed that the 'German Combat Union' make Hitler its politicalleader, and this was done. Hitler himself, as always in such crucialhours, did not make a decision immediately, but was ready to take hislead from events that seemed inevitable now. He started anextraordinary propaganda campaign; arranged, for September 26,fourteen mass meetings in Munich alone, ordered his fifteen thousandS.A. men to be ready in full strength. If public opinion was ready — andthis he wanted to find out by his fourteen mass meetings — he wouldmarch; rather his masses would march and take him with them. Suchwas his strategy; to be led by events was what he called intuition.But the Bavarian government parried this slowly flying thunderbolt intime. It set up its own dictator, Gustav von Kahr again, this time withthe tide of State Commissioner General. Kahr, a short, thickset, darkhairedman, was no inspiring personality; stubborn, but slow ofdecision; his limitations disappeared for a short time behind a halo ofambition and vanity. His power was greater than his ability, hispopularity greater than his daring. But he started well; withouthesitation he suppressed Hitler's fourteen mass meetings. In thepresence of Hess, Goring, and Rohm, Hitler shrieked, he