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

652 DER FUEHRERReich decided for peace and order. Intentionally, though not alwaysvery methodically, the revolution had been steered to a certain point andthen held back. In any case, Hitler dominated the storm and made itclear that what he called revolution would not be an upheaval.After his peace speech of May 17, critics abroad admitted for the firsttime that he had spoken like a statesman. Now, after a halt had beencalled in the revolution, voices arose in Europe saying that he really wasa statesman. The first important treaty of the Third Reich with a foreigngovernment matured in this mood. On July 8, the draft of a ReichConcordat was signed in Rome; twelve days later, the two partiesexchanged letters of ratification. On the same day The Times ofLondon, hitherto critical toward the Third Reich and even now lessbenevolent than the Rothermere press, devoted a thoughtful and friendlydiscussion to Hitler's speech against revolution and co-ordination. Thearticle did, it is true, deplore the atrocities; but then it went on to say:Herr Hitler is certainly not devoid of ideals. . . . He undoubtedlydesires to re-inculcate the old German virtues of loyalty, self-discipline,and service to the state. Some of the grosser forms of post-wardemoralization have been checked under the new regime; and HerrHitler will win support which may be very valuable to him if he willgenuinely devote himself to the moral and economic resurrection of hiscountry.Moral aims were ascribed to the regime of concentration camps; andEnglish support of all sorts — obviously economic and diplomatic —was promised if Hitler adhered to his policy of pacification and reallyput an end to the revolutionizing and co-ordination. He was evenassured that there would be no objection to the secret Germanrearmament of which everyone was aware. 'Even the passion for"defense sports," which is bringing striplings and learned professorstogether at practice on the rifle range, will not altogether be condemnedif the training be really confined to the art of defending their country —even although no other country is at least likely to attack it.'As though in answer to these remarks, Hitler on the following