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

CHANCELLOR AT LAST 521Dusseldorf vainly trying to convince the heavy industrialists of hisharmlessness; now he found a simple formulation: as Chancellor hewould take full charge of the political sphere, but as for economicaffairs, gentlemen — with a glance at Schroeder — that is yourprovince.The conversation took place at a luncheon. No minutes were kept, andprobably there will never be full agreement regarding its substance andresults. Even when the talks ended, an hour and a half later, theconclusions were hardly clear, especially as Hitler seldom rememberedafter such exchanges exactly what he himself, not to mention the others,had said. But one thing is certain: Papen did not — as has been claimed— promise that Hitler would now become Chancellor; he was in noposition to do so, nor would he have wished to. The basis of the wholeconversation was that Hitler was intensely eager for a compromise andwas seeking a face-saving formula for the concessions he was willing tomake. The pivotal question was whether Hitler, after all the bitter disappointmentshe had suffered, was now willing to support a cabinet otherthan his own. Even earlier, Hitler had been prepared to let Goring acceptthe premiership of Prussia or even the Reich vice-chancellorship.Though murders were still taking place in the party, Hitler hadrenounced the blood-bath which he had demanded in August. As late asNovember, he had been unwilling to let Hindenburg reserve alldecisions in foreign and military affairs. Now, in case there should be achance for him to become Chancellor, he conceded even this point. Inany event, the government which he expected to support wouldprobably carry through German rearmament, perhaps with that insanebluntness and lack of diplomacy which Hitler condemned. If thisrearmament should bring about grave decisions regarding the fate of theprivate combat leagues, the supreme SA. Leader would surely have hisword. Therefore, let Hindenburg have his Reichswehr Minister, a general,a specialist, a good friend; if he were also a good friend of Hitler,all concerned could be satisfied. Hitler mentioned the dismissed general,Joachim von Stuelpnagel, until 1930 one of the Reichswehr's 'officegenerals,' and a bitter enemy of Schleicher. As part owner and editor ofthe Berliner Borsenzeitung, Stuelpnagel