740.00119 European War 1939/52: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany ( Kirk ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8 p.m.]
1628. For the Secretary and Under Secretary. Insofar as can be judged at present there is no concurrence in the impressions from foreign circles here created by Hitler’s Reichstag speech. Representatives of those countries which feel most strongly the imminent threat of an extension of hostilities are inclined to emphasize those parts of the speech relating to the establishment of peace, whereas others offer the opinion that had Hitler really desired peace he would have offered more constructive suggestions along that line and that in reality the speech contributed little or nothing to rendering peace more possible of acceptance on the part of England and France.
The reaction in German circles to the Reichstag speech appears to be on the whole favorable and the impression prevails that the address takes its place among Hitler’s more forceful and reasoned [Page 507] utterances. On the theory that at the present stage every day that elapses without an outbreak of intensified hostilities in the West is a day gained for peace, many Germans are appreciative of the fact that Hitler posed no ultimatum. While the proposals were not of such a nature as to compel conviction that they will be accepted, Hitler is felt in these circles to have forcefully outlined the German position concerning the uselessness and futility of a general war and the least that is hoped for is that they may lead to the initiation of negotiations which if once started might render difficult a resumption of fighting in the event of failure.
In connection with the foregoing I am in a position to quote the statement of a German for whose integrity I can vouch and who as a close follower and friend of Hitler for many years is in constant touch with him. This person assures me that he knows Hitler is sincerely desirous of peace, that the suggestions to that end outlined in his Reichstag speech were by no means easy for him to make, that he is hoping that rendering suggestions will evoke some response which will enable the development of further proposals looking to the termination of the present state of war and that he has no intention of precipitating drastic action so long as he considers that there is still a possibility that progress along those lines may be made. According to the same authority the situation to the east however must be left to Germany and Russia to determine and in the event that no inclination towards peace is detected from abroad Hitler on the established conviction that Germany is the victim of injustices of the past will carry the war to its catastrophic consequences.
It was apparent in this conversation as in the case of talks with other Germans that the Government of the United States is regarded as holding the first position as an advocate of peace and in this particular instance it was clear that the thought was present that the President might take this occasion to convey to Hitler indirectly and confidentially an oral message which would endorse sincere efforts to bring about peace and encourage a clarification of the bases on which that peace might be established.