862.00/2766: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Sackett) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 1—9:15 a.m.]
117. After receiving several party leaders President casually, shortly after 7 o’clock last night, announced that he had commissioned Von Papen, formerly Military Attaché at Washington, to form a Cabinet. By 9 o’clock an unconfirmed list of the new Cabinet excepting Finance Minister was published. Von Papen has been an unruly member of the Center Party to which Bruening also belonged and until April was its representative in Prussian Landtag. He is considered as of the extreme Right wing of the Center Party. In [Page 294] confidential conversations with me on last Saturday night and again early Monday morning Bruening told me his continuance in office depended on whether the President would evidence confidence in him by taking a definite position to put an end to intrigues of military leaders. Their intrigues in opposition to the Cabinet had been in evidence during Bruening’s recent absence in Geneva and after his return. He recalled certain conversations with you in reference to the danger of political generals. He indicated Monday that the refusal of the President to take the necessary action to remove the military intrigue was the sole cause of the Cabinet’s resignation and that statements of disagreement over the new economic proposals were subterfuge.
The new Cabinet must yet face political approval and it is possible it will not be confirmed especially as the attitude of the Center Party is not yet clear. The personnel of the new Cabinet is strongly indicative of a military dictatorship in close cooperation with nationalist groups having monarchial sympathies and with the backing of von Hindenburg maintains that the suddenness of the complete announcement of the portfolios indicated a military coup d’état carefully prepared in advance of the President’s journey to East Prussia 10 days ago and of the existence of which Bruening, I am confident, was in complete ignorance. It is surmised in informed circles that some promise of new elections to the Reichstag may have been given Hitler to secure Nazi toleration of the new Government after they refused to take part in any Government that was formed. I am personally well acquainted with all the important members of the new Cabinet except Von Papen, Chancellor. In view of his past record in America15 have you any special instructions?