15 Jan 1936 - Cercle-Cité, Luxembourg City

[Diarist]

The conference in the Cercle-Cité opened punctually with a greeting speech from Joseph Bech, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Luxembourg. This was followed by a short speech from Giuseppe Motta. The French delegation led by Prime Minister and Defence Minister Daladier explained that the British and French delegations have a joint proposal and that we are also representing the interests of the Kingdoms of Belgium and the Netherlands. He explained further that France is not condemning the violation of the Locarno Treaties and the Versailles Treaties won't be mentioned at all. France welcomes the opportunity to confer with its German neighbour and is confident that all their differences can be resolved to everybody's satisfaction.
The speeches so far had all been in French so I decided to speak in German. That got several people scrambling to put on their headphones. I opened by thanking the Prime Minister and Luxembourg for their hospitality.
"Because Prime Minister Daladier stole half of my speech I don't have much more to add. We understand that it was necessary to violate articles 1 and 2 of the Locarno Treaties in order to demonstrate to the German people that Hitler's reckless policies have resulted in another war with France and the United Kingdom. Adolf Hitler knew that his last order would be an act of war but that didn't deter him. One could argue that a small evil has removed a larger evil. Hitler and his government may be gone but his legacy still remains. France and Britain wish to offer Germany a comprehensive package with goal of a lasting, fair and just peace between our three great nations. A treaty between equals in which no one country feels disadvantaged nor has any reason to dominate the other two nations.
Before we can present our proposal two obstacles have to be removed. The first I have already mentioned, Hitler's legacy. I have a list, which is by no means complete, of legislation introduced into German law by the Hitler regime. We expect all legislation of the Third Reich to be rescinded especially the anti-Semitic laws but not limited to those." Lists were distributed to the German delegation and the chairpersons.
"The second obstacle is the state of war which exists between Germany and our four nations. We have prepared a draft Peace Treaty. It is simply a document to end the war between Germany and four of its neighbours. No punishment clauses, no reparations just an acknowledgement of the current situation. I thank you for your attention." Not a diplomatic masterpiece but the message was clear for all to understand.
Prime Minister Bech reminded the German delegation that it is their turn to speak. General Keitel also thanked Luxembourg and stressed Germany's desire to have good relations with all its neighbours.
"I would now like to address to the two obstacles Sir Robert has mentioned. Germany intends revoking all the Nazi legislature. We intend removing all vestiges of Nazi ideology. Rest assured. This so-called Peace Treaty is an insult. I cannot sign this document. It is another assault on Germany's dignity. Nothing can convince me to place my signature on this paper."
"Nothing?"
"That is correct."
"Herr General, could you please elaborate. Which part is so insulting in your opinion?"
"Germany has to concede defeat and give up more territory."
"Germany is not being asked to give up more territory. We already have all the territory we desire and there is no mention of that territory being annexed. Germany is just being temporarily denied access to its economy. As for the other insult, if Germany didn't lose the conflict, who did?"
"Germany will not concede defeat again."
"You wouldn't have to if you had won the conflict but Germany didn't win. It's just a piece paper which if signed can open the door to a whole new future for Germany."
"You said yourself that we had to violate the articles 1 and 2 to rid ourselves of Hitler and you understand that. We are not really at war, are we?"
"I hate to disappoint you, General Keitel, but we really are at war. At this very moment your merchant ships are being intercepted and if the freight is anything but food the cargo is being confiscated. Look, if you don't really believe Germany is at war then just don't really believe that document is a Peace Treaty. Just sign it."
"I have a question, Sir Robert."
"Your question, Herr Admiral."
"Are you the main architect of the package you intend offering Germany."
"The original idea was mine."
"Herr Keitel. Sign the document."
"It's not your decision, Canaris."
"Well I've worked up an appetite. Mr. Prime Minister, may I suggest that we adjourn for lunch. I believe the German delegation needs time to discuss a few things."
"We shall adjourn for lunch. The conference will resume at 14:00."

[Diarist]

I sat alone for lunch because I had a stack of documents I needed to read and absorb. I've ordered a huge portion of lasagne with cream poured on it. Tastes great. Goulash with cream tastes good too. I was halfway through my lasagne when I noticed Konrad Adenauer standing at my table asking if he could join me. I gestured to the seat opposite me. "How good is your French, Herr Adenauer?"
"Fairly good."
I gave him the French dossier on Konrad Adenauer. "Is there anything missing that I need to know?" He took time to read the documents.
"No. It's accurate enough."
"You had a very difficult time, even before the Nazis came to power."
"It has a been a struggle. You speak very good German."
"I'm good with languages. I recently learnt Arabic. That was a struggle."
"I can imagine that. Admiral Canaris has told me that your wife is Jewish from Berlin."
"That it is correct. If it weren't for Hitler we would never have met so I should be grateful to him."
"That's one way of looking at it."
"Do you consider the Peace Treaty insulting?"
"No, I would sign it without hesitation. It accurately portrays Germany's current predicament. The occupied territories would be returned?"
"That's not covered in the Peace Treaty. That document is just the first step of many. It would be a matter between Germany and the individual nations. Britain is not occupying any German territory. We could always occupy Heligoland for the fun of it...."
"What comes afterwards?"
"We make you an offer. One which Germany has been striving for since the end of the last war. Get Keitel to sign that document and all will be revealed. The alternative is not at all attractive for Germany. You also need a new constitution, preferably for a German Federation."
"I agree with that. The Weimar Constitution is inadequate in many ways."
I glanced at my watch, 13:20. "I've enjoyed our conversation, Herr Adenauer, but I have to leave. I need to confer with my team before returning to the conference."
"Of course. Until later, Sir Robert."
The 'others' were all at one table and I joined them. "Interesting conversation?" Winston asked.
"He would sign the Peace Treaty." I handed him Adenauer's dossier. "He says that it's accurate."
"So what's the strategy?"
"I don't have one so I'm going on collision course with Keitel. If he remains stubborn I'll need a Plan B. Have the French any ideas?"
"Not that I know of. He almost made it to Chancellor."
"He may be right person now. This damn Keitel has become the third obstacle. Don't worry. I'll come up with something."
I got a bottle of orange juice then returned to the conference chamber.

[Diarist]

I spoke with Édouard Daladier before returning to my seat. "Keitel's becoming a problem, isn't he?"
I had to agree with him. "I haven't given up yet. I can be stubborn too."
"I doubt that appealing to his good nature will help."
"Forget that idea."
"Do you have a plan?"
"What do you think of healthy mixture of ridicule and sarcasm with a touch of British humour."
"Like me stealing your speech?"
"I shouldn't have shown it to you. Into the fray again."
I sat down and PM Bech asked if I am ready to continue. "Thank you, Prime Minister. I am ready."
"Then please continue."
"I hope you enjoyed lunch, General Keitel. The lasagne was excellent. Now that you have more time to study this document are you willing to sign it?"
"No. I have already told you why."
"What is your opinion, General Milch?"
"I have reservations but I would sign the Peace Treaty. Germany needs to move on."
"General Freiherr von Weichs. Your opinion please."
"I agree with Erhard (Milch). It's a bitter pill we have to swallow."
"I already know what your other two delegates would do so that is 4 to 1 against you. Are they so wrong and you so right, General Keitel?"
"I respect their opinions but I disagree."
"You are not very flexible are you?"
"Am I on trial here?"
"The fate of Germany appears to be in your hands. I believe that future historians deserve to understand why you are so inflexible. I'd even say stubborn. Are you always so stubborn?"
"I protest this kind of inquisition, Prime Minister Bech."
"General Keitel is not on trial, Sir Robert."
"I apologize, Prime Minister. To you too, General Keitel."
"Have you considered the alternative, Herr General?"
"Alternative?"
"If you don't sign a Peace Treaty then Germany is still at war. How do you envisage extricating yourself from that situation?"
"Nobody here wants war."
"You are right but that doesn't mean we aren't ready to go to war in order to eliminate the problem called Germany. You don't know what plans we have and I'd like to remind you that it took less than one week to get rid of Mussolini. His forces were stronger than yours are now. What magic card do you have up your sleeve? But let's forget the military option. We could simply starve you to death. German really only has two options. Concede defeat or slowly die."
Absolute silence pervaded the room.
"I'll give you five minutes to consider your reply." I stood up and left the room. I need to find a phone. I located one and asked the operator to connect me with Berlin, Wehrmachtamt.
"Guten Tag, my name is Sir Robert Carter. I'm heading the British delegation at the peace talks in Luxembourg. I urgently need to speak with General von Blomberg bitte." After 15 seconds and a dozen clicks in the line he was on the telephone. I explained the situation to him and told him that if Germany wants to move on he's sent the wrong man here. "Is it your intention to sabotage the talks or do you want a better future for Germany. I apologize for being so direct but I need an answer."
"Of course we want peace. That's why we deposed of Hitler."
"Keitel is a man without vision. How about Ludwig Beck? I understand he is a 'reasonable' officer."
"He is. I'll dispatch him to Luxembourg immediately."
"So Keitel is relieved of his duties here."
"Correct."
"You need to tell that to Prime Minister Bech. He is chairing the conference. Could you wait in the line please, General."
"I can do that." I rushed back to the conference hall and brought the PM to the phone. The conversation lasted just over one minute then we returned to the conference room.
"General Keitel. I have just spoken with General von Blomberg in Berlin. I've been asked to inform you that you have been relieved of all duties here. You are to pack your belongings and proceed to the airport. General Ludwig Beck will be arriving shortly. You are to board that plane and return to Berlin. I thank you for your services here but your presence is no longer required. I wish you a safe flight home. The conference is adjourned until General Beck arrives."
"Who is Beck?" Winston asked.
"He's the Army Chief of Staff and supposedly a man one can reason with."
"Let's hope so. This is Plan B?"
"More like a wild card."
When passing Wilhelm whispered that Beck is a good choice. "We're still in the game, gentlemen."

[Diarist]

All we can do now is wait. I ordered some sandwiches and drank more orange juice and a pot of Earl Grey. Louis joined me. "The dinner this evening has been cancelled."
"I know. We're running late. I'm not in the mood for a banquet at the palace anyway." We are at the hotel because it would require at least three hours for General beck to arrive and be brought up to date. The conference is cautiously scheduled to resume at 18:00. Neither of us had a lot to say and at 17:30 we decided to walk to Cercle-Cité. We passed a small bakery selling small pies. "They smell good." I ordered four and we stood there eating them. Afterwards we had 10 minutes to get to the conference room. We were the last to arrive and General Beck was present.
Prime Minister Bech welcomed General Beck and expressed his hope that he, General Beck, would help break the deadlock.
"Thank you for your welcome, Prime Minister. It is no secret that Germany is going through turbulent times and I am not just referring to the last few days. Adolf Hitler has managed to alienate all our neighbours. Germany is alone without friends and now we are at war with powerful nations. The military situation is hopeless. Our economy is suffering and our people are becoming desperate. I have had an opportunity to discuss the situation here with my colleagues and in principle I believe that it is in Germany's interest if I sign the offered Peace Treaty in its current form. There is nothing to negotiate. However I do have a few questions for Sir Robert Carter."
"I'll be glad to answer your questions, General Beck."
"France and Britain are here as partners but you are the chief negotiator?"
"We are sharing that role, sir. Let's say that Britain is offering a carrot while France has the stick."
"We already have troops in the demilitarized zone on the east side of the Rhine. Are they permitted to remain there or must we remove them?"
"General, if you sign that Peace Treaty you will be permitted to station troops on both sides of the Rhine, except in the zones occupied by allied forces. A further restriction is that no heavy equipment is allowed on the west side until Germany has negotiated the withdrawal of those forces to their home nations."
"That is acceptable. Finally, can you give us a glimpse of what your offer is?"
"General Beck, you stated that Germany is alone without friends with a bleak economic situation and a desperate people. You have my word that this offer will change all that."
"In that case I shall sign the offered Peace Treaty." He signed the document and there was applause in the room. I stood up, walked to him and shook his hand.
"Thank you, General Beck. You won't regret it." PM Daladier has followed my example. Wilhelm was now shaking my hand. "We did it, Wilhelm."
"Were you serious about the military threat?"
"We were not bluffing. There are about 100 divisions waiting to pounce on Germany from all directions. Within a week Germany would have ceased to exist. We don't joke about such things and we don't make empty threats. You may have also noticed that we are not signing the Peace Treaty yet. This was just phase one. You haven't accepted our offer yet. I believe it's time for photos and a glass of champagne." That took another 30 minutes.

[Diarist]

The conference reconvened after a 45 minute break and Britain, myself, was asked to continue.
"Before I ask the attendants to distribute copies of our proposal I would like to make a personal statement. When I first had this idea just before Christmas King Leopold of Belgium was in England. We were having an unofficial chat in our pub discussing a possible remilitarization attempt by Germany. The big question was what happens afterwards. We've reached that point now. The Rhineland Crisis has been resolved but where do we go from here? What we decide now will determine the future of western Europe and maybe beyond.
In my opinion the Versailles Treaty is the worst treaty ever. It had nothing to do with peace. It was about revenge, reparation. It is full of hate. It is a blueprint for the next Great War. Whatever we decide here won't change that. Stalin intends going to war and the Japanese too. The colonies are going to want their independence and will fight for it. We are witnessing that in Arabia now. Let's take the Locarno Treaties. They are also flawed. They are designed to prevent a new war between Belgium, France and Germany but Germany was disadvantaged again. So it is no surprise that Germany violated the treaty. Only German territory was demilitarized. No Belgium territory and no French territory. It isn't a fair treaty. Remind yourself what east European countries think of Locarno. We can argue about who won or lost the Great War but who won the peace afterwards? That's easy to answer. NOBODY. It's easy to win a war. To quote the Confederate General Forrest, "it's a question of getting there firstest with the mostest." Winning the peace afterwards is the most difficult part.
I told General Gort that his generation had the chance to fix things but failed miserably. I said you should let the young ones have their turn. It's our future and that of our children. I was told to stop wanting to put my uniform back on. The war will be over before you make it to General. We could argue about that, but not here. I've taken that to heart. I'm 25 years old and look where I am now and my position in the Ministry of Defence. I had this idea and sold it to my government. It wasn't easy. Then I sold the idea to the French, Belgium and Dutch governments last weekend. Now Germany, it is your turn. I don't know what the future will bring. I have no crystal ball. But do you know the best way to prophesize the future? Build it yourself! I'm finished." I handed the attendants seven copies in German.
"May I suggest that we adjourn until tomorrow morning. The delegates can study and discuss the proposal overnight, sleep on it then we can debate it tomorrow."
"That's a good proposal. The conference is adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning."
"Shall we try to find a cosy pub somewhere? I'm buying the first round."
"Why not?" You can always count on Louis. "We need to see if there are more of those pies."
"You and Wilfrid secure the objective. We foot soldiers will follow as fast as we can."