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

CHANCELLOR AT LAST 525of approximately 17 per cent (38,000 as against 33,000). True, otherparties without much effort had obtained even comparatively greatergains. Stresemann's former party gained 20 per cent and the smalldemocratic party 60 per cent. The Social Democrats, 15 per cent(29,700 as against 25,000). Moreover, this sample of 90,000 voterscould not really be called a barometer for the rest of Germany. Yet forHitler's state of mind it was vital. He had shown that he still knew howto win, and he was able to reckon that Strasser's departure had. made nofurther inroads on the party's strength. 'There can no longer be anyquestion of compromise,' Goebbels suddenly blared forth, hinting at theextent of the concessions Hitler had still been prepared to make in hisCologne conversation with Papen. Strasser 'is sinking back into thenothingness from which he came,' and 'there can be no more mercy. TheLeader above all!' Hitler, looking back at the past, began to admit thatperhaps he had not done everything correctly; and even so, things hadturned out all right. 'I, too,' he said with modesty at a meeting of hisfunctionaries in the Berlin Sportpalast after the elections in Lippe, 'cango wrong and make mistakes. But what counts is, who makes the mostmistakes?' The opposing side, he declared, had made the greatestmistake by trying to smash the National Socialist Party.When Hitler said this, he already knew that Schleicher's plans hadbeen frustrated. The two days, from January 15 to January 17, hadchanged much. He had not been able to give his government a broadbase. 'Never with Hugenberg!' his most loyal followers — the Center —had cried. This was the answer when Schleicher inquired of PrelateKaas whether Adam Stegerwald, the Catholic labor leader, would notenter his cabinet. Schleicher had expected too many miracles of hisdiplomacy. His eternal hesitations and conferences, his evasion of anydefinite decision, finally brought even Strasser to despair. He askedHitler for a meeting, wanting to find his way back. Goring informed himthat Hitler no longer wished to see him.Slowly, almost invisibly, the weight shifted. Hitler had threatened thatwith the help of the Communists he would make it impossible for thegovernment to maintain parliamentary rule. Now