862.00/2829
The Ambassador in Germany (Sackett) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 27.]
Sir:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In amplification of my telegram No. 161 of this date analysing the political situation, the following may be noted.
The keynote of the present political situation would seem to be Hitler’s dogged intention to rule alone. The expectation frequently voiced here that failure of his policies would result in large and immediate losses of following for Hitler does not take into account the blindness of great sections of his adherents. Hitler, one of the biggest show-men since P. T. Barnum, and his silver-tongued lieutenant, Goebbels, are past adepts at twisting events to suit their fancies and [Page 313] purposes, and indefatigable spellbinders. Readers of the Voelkischer Beobachter and Angriff, the two chief Nazi press organs, have read, and will continue to read, of nothing but Nazi successes, and this policy could be pursued all the more brazenly if Hitler were in power, and could suppress the opposition journals at will.
Meanwhile, as a result of a far-sighted policy which makes schoolchildren the objects of active and successful Nazi propaganda, time is working in Hitler’s favor as successive classes graduate and come of voting age. Immediately after the scholastic Constitution Day celebrations the children were seen issuing from the schools singing the “Horst Wessel Song”, the lurid Nazi Marseillaise. Realization of this fact doubtless is one of the main reasons for the present Cabinet’s desire to reform the election system.
With Hitler unwilling to enter a Papen Cabinet—or any other than his own—and presumably averse to early new Reichstag elections, especially under a less favorable election system, it is possible that though the Nazis, who have stressed their opposition, will not vote against a motion of lack of confidence in Papen, they may at least, by absenting themselves from the Reichstag on some pretext or other, enable the Centrists to tolerate Papen as a “lesser evil”.
While these are what, under present circumstances, may be regarded as normal parliamentary possibilities, the further possibility must be envisaged of a more radical departure from parliamentary practice and the spirit if not the letter of the Constitution, a departure to be sponsored by the President and the Cabinet which enjoys his confidence—with the Reichswehr looming up in the background, as indicated in my telegram under reference.
Respectfully yours,