760F.62/1176: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 27—3:45 p.m.]
505. Just had a talk with Henderson. He believes that unless there is some startling change in the situation Hitler will order full mobilization and attack after Chamberlain’s speech before the House of Commons. He said that Sir Horace Wilson had come to urge Hitler to be moderate in his speech. He can not see that the offer of a guarantee by England and France of Czech fulfillment of the British plan has made any impression on the Germans. Chamberlain, he says, is tired. He does not know what he will say in Commons tomorrow but he feels that a message to Chamberlain from President Roosevelt urging him to do his utmost to keep Great Britain from engaging in war and precipitating a general European conflagration over a question already agreed upon in principle might be of some avail.
Always before Hitler has left himself a way out and until very recent days I have felt that such a way was open. Very recently, however, he has so committed himself and so burnt his bridges that I cannot see any hope that he will retire materially from the position taken. Hence, I am driven to the belief that only a decided change in the attitude of Czechoslovakia as set forth in their answer to Hitler’s memorandum will prevent a German attack within the near [Page 684] future. From information available here there is every indication that France and Great Britain will declare war in that event. We are thus on the eve of a full sized European war unless some dramatic and unexpected event turns the tide.
Repeated to Paris and London.