740.00/742: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany (Geist) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 6—3:10 p.m.]
237. According to reports from Paris and London informed circles there consider that war may break out in a week or ten days. No such indications exist here. Hitler returned to Berlin Tuesday and after a few hours’ conference with Ribbentrop departed for Berchtesgaden. He was in a cheerful state of mind, saw a private movie and busied himself chiefly with plans concerning his birthday.
The opinion is held here in governmental circles that Beck will most likely sign a defensive alliance with England. If so, the severest pressure will be placed upon Poland for a voluntary solution of the Danzig, Corridor and Upper Silesian questions with the aim of finally choking Poland to death by eventually surrounding and cutting her off from access to the sea. The Germans are confident England will not guarantee the status quo of the territorial differences between Germany and Poland.
The Nazis consider relations with England have practically ceased to exist. The slogan is “Gott strafe England” and leaders are confident here that by playing on the words “encirclement” and “hunger blockade” a war spirit could be worked up which would be vocative enough to impress the world with the public approval back of Hitler in his campaign against England. It is not the intention however to precipitate a general struggle in Europe but to continue sapping and undermining the foundations of potential victims and enemies.
The Albanian Minister, formerly his country’s Foreign Minister and considered well informed, states that despite denials of his own Government he has reason to fear imminent Italian attack on Albania as move to distract world from German contemplated aggression against Poland which he believes should shortly follow this Italian action.
While I cannot vouch for accuracy of story a reputable American just returned from Prague reports arrival there of German soldier casualties said to have been incurred in border fighting against Poles in Teschen area.
From available information there have been to date no troop concentrations along the Polish frontier although there is evidence of prior arrangements having been made for such an eventuality. Owners of various private cars were notified that they were to be commandeered this week and a new restricted area in southwestern Germany and east Prussia on the Polish border has been announced by the Foreign Office.
[Page 116]Military furloughs over Easter are being freely granted and leading officials of various Ministries are planning to leave Berlin for the holidays.
Presumably because of the concentration of the press against England and Poland less space is devoted to press criticism of the United States. In regard to the American attitude toward Germany a curious incident occurred yesterday when General Milch, Chief of the German Air Corps, asserted to the Military Attaché that it would be impossible for the United States ever again to send troops to Europe because 8,000 out of every 10,000 would be lost. Similar statements are understood to have been made by air officers to other individuals.
It is believed locally that the publicly announced meeting of the German commanding general and the Italian chief of staff at Innsbruck is intended as a demonstration of military solidarity and it is possible the meeting will be followed by a public affirmation in this sense.