Post by Diarist on Oct 22, 2016 8:49:51 GMT 1
Sally and I arrived at the German Foreign Ministry at 09:50. At the reception I introduced myself and explained that I had an appointment with the Foreign Minister at 10 o'clock. They actually managed to get me to his office punctually where we were warmly greeted by Konstantin von Neurath.
"Is Admiral Canaris not with you?"
"No, he has to work. I believe you have a letter for me to take to London. I won't be able to deliver it until Monday though."
"That isn't a problem. Are you familiar with the Locarno Treaties, Sir Robert?"
"Indeed I am, Sir."
"Then you are aware that Italy can no longer be considered a guarantor and that invalidates the Treaties."
"I am not aware of that, Herr Minister. Italy has lost Mussolini and its Navy but neither are essential for Italy to fulfil its role as guarantor. Secondly, Britain is able to guarantee the Treaties without Italy's help if it were necessary."
"You sound very confident."
"It's my job to know that, Sir. I'm not a diplomat so I don't know a diplomatic reply. I'm a soldier and Italy was defeated three months ago. If you really believe what you are saying then what are you waiting for? Britain has offered to renegotiate the Locarno Treaties if the other signatories deem it to be necessary. The ball's in your court, Sir."
"You make it look as if Germany is yearning for war."
"I'm just saying that Germany needs to be more patient. You received Saarland peacefully this year - positive for Germany but you also tried to grab Austria for the second time in as many years - negative for Germany. Your attempt to circumvent the Locarno Treaties is very negative for Germany. Don't you realize that? I can't think of one country in Europe that has a favourable opinion of Germany. As Germany's senior diplomat that should seriously concern you."
"I don't need to be lectured about my responsibilities, Sir Robert. Britain and France are erecting a series of alliances against Germany around us. That is not helping matters."
"Now you are suffering from paranoia. I don't know of a single alliance against Germany and I've just visited seven European countries, five of them German neighbours. First, France didn't ratify the France-Russian Agreement and second, the Southeast European Treaty is a mutual cooperation agreement including defence cooperation but primarily economic. To help the former states of Austria-Hungary link up with its neighbours Italy, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. Only Austria is a neighbour and Germany's actions have turned them against you. I don't need to be lectured either. Many people have read Mein Kampf and we naturally ask each other how the Führer can achieve that peacefully. Do you know how, Herr Minister?"
"I don't question the Führer!"
"Fine, unless you have anything else I have a busy schedule today."
"That's all I have. Thank you coming here. Auf Wiedersehen."
"Auf Wiedersehen." We got out of there as quickly as possible. Somebody needs to question their goddamned Führer!
"Is Admiral Canaris not with you?"
"No, he has to work. I believe you have a letter for me to take to London. I won't be able to deliver it until Monday though."
"That isn't a problem. Are you familiar with the Locarno Treaties, Sir Robert?"
"Indeed I am, Sir."
"Then you are aware that Italy can no longer be considered a guarantor and that invalidates the Treaties."
"I am not aware of that, Herr Minister. Italy has lost Mussolini and its Navy but neither are essential for Italy to fulfil its role as guarantor. Secondly, Britain is able to guarantee the Treaties without Italy's help if it were necessary."
"You sound very confident."
"It's my job to know that, Sir. I'm not a diplomat so I don't know a diplomatic reply. I'm a soldier and Italy was defeated three months ago. If you really believe what you are saying then what are you waiting for? Britain has offered to renegotiate the Locarno Treaties if the other signatories deem it to be necessary. The ball's in your court, Sir."
"You make it look as if Germany is yearning for war."
"I'm just saying that Germany needs to be more patient. You received Saarland peacefully this year - positive for Germany but you also tried to grab Austria for the second time in as many years - negative for Germany. Your attempt to circumvent the Locarno Treaties is very negative for Germany. Don't you realize that? I can't think of one country in Europe that has a favourable opinion of Germany. As Germany's senior diplomat that should seriously concern you."
"I don't need to be lectured about my responsibilities, Sir Robert. Britain and France are erecting a series of alliances against Germany around us. That is not helping matters."
"Now you are suffering from paranoia. I don't know of a single alliance against Germany and I've just visited seven European countries, five of them German neighbours. First, France didn't ratify the France-Russian Agreement and second, the Southeast European Treaty is a mutual cooperation agreement including defence cooperation but primarily economic. To help the former states of Austria-Hungary link up with its neighbours Italy, Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. Only Austria is a neighbour and Germany's actions have turned them against you. I don't need to be lectured either. Many people have read Mein Kampf and we naturally ask each other how the Führer can achieve that peacefully. Do you know how, Herr Minister?"
"I don't question the Führer!"
"Fine, unless you have anything else I have a busy schedule today."
"That's all I have. Thank you coming here. Auf Wiedersehen."
"Auf Wiedersehen." We got out of there as quickly as possible. Somebody needs to question their goddamned Führer!