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

THE BEER HALL PUTSCH 189sullen gathering and announced that he had just formed a nationalgovernment with the three men in the next room. Lossow would beReichswehr minister, Seisser police minister; he himself would bepolitical leader, while Ludendorff would lead the army. 'Tomorrow,' herepeated, 'will find a German national government in Germany, or willfind us dead!'Is the meeting agreed? — Hitler asked. When the three thousandheard that Kahr, Lossow, and Seisser were in accord with Hitler, allhearts grew light. With this lie, as a witness put it, Hitler changed themood of the meeting 'like a glove.' Everyone cheered. Hitler returned tothe adjoining room, and Kahr could hear the cheering through the opendoor. He was as vain as he was timid, and this made a great impressionon him.At this moment, General Ludendorff, punctually delivered byScheubner-Richter, entered the room. He began at once to speak. Hesaid he was just as surprised as the three gentlemen, but that this was agreat national event, and he could only advise the three to collaborate.He now solemnly offered them his hand to shake. This cost Ludendorffalmost as much self-control as the three. He felt that Hitler had takenhim by surprise and humiliated him and that night he spoke barely fivewords to him. This didn't trouble Hitler at all. When Ludendorff hadconcluded, he cried out joyfully, almost mockingly: 'We can no longerturn back; our action is already inscribed on the pages of world history.'Suddenly Pohner appeared and began to argue with Kahr. The littledictator was still resisting: he was a monarchist after all and could actonly in the name of his king. Pohner, a big man, nearly a head tallerthan Kahr, spoke down to him. 'I, too, am a monarchist,' he declared,'and that is exactly why I am taking part.' Meanwhile, Ludendorff stoodin the middle of the room with outstretched hand; sheer respectdemanded that Lossow take the hand of his general. If this was comedy,it was well played. Hitler meanwhile approached Kahr, suddenlychanging his attitude. He folded his hands and assumed an unexpectedlyhumble tone: all he wanted was to repair the injustice suffered by themonarchy. 'If your excellency permits, I will drive out to see his majestyat once and inform him that the German people have arisen and madegood