Chapter 105 Chapter Seventeen "Stepping on the Edge" (5)

After hours of necessary sleep, Chamberlain flew back to London for a full cabinet meeting the next day.He explained that if we want to understand people's behavior, we must understand their motivations, how they think.Herr Hitler "would not knowingly deceive people whom he respected and with whom he had been negotiating".It would be a great tragedy if they "lost the opportunity to reach an understanding with Germany on the various differences that exist between the two countries." As he returned home from a simulated German bomber flight along the Thames, he said with horror: "Thousands of families have turned up under the plane. I asked myself: how much protection can we provide them? I feel that we are today Incapable of waging a war to prevent wars to come."

In cabinet, he has never faced such great resistance.In the first place, Lord Duff Cooper of the Admiralty did not believe the Fuehrer's assurances at all, and proposed immediate general mobilization.Chamberlain urged his cabinet that such decisions should be delayed.The meeting decided to consult with France, which ordered partial mobilization, first. There was fresh opposition when Cabinet met again on Sunday morning. "I can't get rid of the knot in my heart," said Foreign Secretary Halifax. "I feel that Herr Hitler gave us nothing but was there to issue orders, as if he had won without a fight." As long as Nazism still exists , peace will not be consolidated.

Lord Hailsham, who had earlier supported Chamberlain, now agreed with the Foreign Secretary.The debate begins.Lords Stanhope and Maugham urged the Czechs to accept Hitler's memorandum, while Lord Winterton argued that it was morally right to reject its proposal.Chamberlain sought to restore order to the cabinet, which was widely divided.He said it was wrong at this time to talk about accepting or rejecting Hitler's terms, or to feel humiliated.Accept or reject, the idea is up to the Czechs. The cabinet meeting had just ended in discord, and Chamberlain encountered another sad event.Czech ambassador Jan Masaryk visited and made serious protests.He said that the content of Hitler's memorandum had left his government "stunned".This memorandum was effectively an ultimatum, depriving Czechoslovakia of any right to defend its national existence. "My administration, opposed to these new brutal demands, will surely rise to the occasion. We will, God forbid."

That evening, the French delegation returned to London to discuss the situation.The head of the delegation, Daladier, announced that France did not recognize Hitler's right to occupy the Sudetenland region.Chamberlain's question, "If Hitler imposed a border on Czechoslovakia for strategic reasons, would you, France, declare war?" His answer was vague.Chamberlain urged him to make his position clear, and Daladier replied: "After a period of concentration", France may "try to attack on land". The talks were suspended for half an hour to allow Chamberlain to consult with the cabinet. "I will not be reconciled to the possibility of avoiding war if I can tap it but not tap it," he said to his cabinet. "Therefore, I propose, based on my talks with Mr. Letter to Hitler." The letter proposed the establishment of a common committee to decide how to implement the proposals accepted by the Czech Republic, to be forwarded to the Führer by Sir Horace Wilson, "If Herr Hitler refuses to answer this letter, Horace Sir Wilson is entitled to convey on his own behalf that, if this appeal is rejected, France will enter the war, and if so it seems that we should also be involved."

The next morning, September 26, Sir Wilson, whom Hitler called "nostalgic for the Jews", left for Berlin with this letter. (In 1968, Wilson told journalist Colin Close: "He understood Hitler's feelings for the Jews and asked him: 'Have you ever met a Jew you liked?'") The Führer listened calmly, but the more Getting more and more restless.When he heard the British public stunned by the terms of his Goldsberg memorandum, he cried out: "Stop it, it's no good!" This did not stop Sir Wilson - despite Hitler's "crying impatiently and gesticulating obnoxiously" - he told his translator Schmidt to continue reading Chamberlain's letter, when Schmidt read "Czechoslovakia The government believes that this proposal is completely unacceptable." When Hitler jumped up and walked towards the door, he still muttered: "It is useless to say it."

"This kind of situation is very special," Schmidt recalled, "especially, when he walked to the door, he seemed to wake up how rude his behavior was, and he was like a disobedient child. Go to your seat." With difficulty, he managed to hold back his temper and let Schmidt finish reading the letter.At this point, he was furious.He was so angry in a diplomatic situation that the interpreter Schmidt had never seen.Hitler shouted that the Germans were treated like niggers, and the Turks would not be treated in the same way. "By October 1st I will do what I want Czechoslovakia to do!" he cried.If France and England wanted to fight, so be it, he didn't mind.After Hitler regained his composure, he agreed to negotiate with the Czechs.However, he insisted on accepting the terms set out in the Goldsberg memo within 48 hours.

In any case, he added, the Germans would occupy the Sudetenland on October 1. The anger that afternoon carried on into the evening — and into the gym.It was rare for Hitler to speak so loudly and spew poison out of his mouth.His main target is Benes. "It's not Czechoslovakia's problem, it's Herr Benes's problem!" It was he who wanted to destroy the Germanic minority; it was he who made his country work for the Bolsheviks. "He is in power now, peace or war! If we don't accept our terms now and finally return freedom to the Germans, otherwise we will take this freedom for ourselves!" All Germans—"The situation is the same as in 1918 There is a world of difference!"—all united with him. "Our resolution has been made! Let Mr. Benes choose!"

As soon as Hitler sat down, Goebbels jumped up: "One thing is certain: 1918 will never be repeated!" As soon as these words came out, the Führer stood up again.He slammed the podium with his right hand, shouted "Yes!" and sat down again.His hair fell to his forehead with sweat—he was exhausted. His talk left hopeless hopefuls of peace.In London, workers dug trenches near Buckingham Palace; posters were posted warning of air raids.Roosevelt's personal friend, Ambassador Britt, called Washington from Paris and said: "I think ninety-five percent of it is war from midnight on Friday." Hastily called Hitler (second in two days) calling for continued negotiations.

Chamberlain also appealed to the head of state again in the form of a statement in the newspaper.He said that as long as Germany did not use force, Britain would guarantee that the Czech Republic would honor its pledge to withdraw from the Sudetenland.The next morning, his special envoy Wilson came to the Chancellery again with this new proposal, but Hitler refused to discuss it.The Czechs had only two options: accept or reject the German proposal. "If they prefer to refuse, I will smash Czechoslovakia to pieces!" He threatened to move his troops into the Sudetenland unless Benes surrendered by 2:00 the next afternoon.

Ser Horace jumped to his feet and read a statement aloud.Schmidt's translation is slow and cadenced, in order to let Hitler grasp the main point: "If France is actively involved in hostilities against Germany in order to fulfill its treaty obligations, the United Kingdom considers itself compelled to support France." Hitler was furious: "If Britain and France want to fight, please do so. I don't care at all. I have prepared for all possibilities. Today is Tuesday, and by next Monday, we will all be at war." Wilson wanted to continue the conversation, but Henderson hastily motioned him not to.Sir Wilson spent a few moments alone with the Führer before taking his farewell.He reiterated that a catastrophe must be avoided at all costs. "I tried to get those Czechs sober," he assured.

"I welcome that," said Hitler.He stressed again that the UK would never find another friend like that. Last night, despite the enthusiasm of the gymnasium crowd, according to William Shearer (broadcasting from the balcony) in his diary, there was no war fever in the gymnasium, "The crowd was very kind, as if they didn't understand what he said. "Wednesday afternoon towards dusk, a motorized division drove through the city of Berlin.Not only did the off-duty people not cheer, but most of them escaped into the subway, and the few who did not get off the subway just watched silently.This once again shows that there is no war mania. Captain Weidmann also noticed a lack of enthusiasm from the public.When he entered the Chancellery, he said loudly: "It's like a funeral outside!" "Hush!" whispered an adjutant, "He's sitting by the window." Hitler looked at the procession, thinking.Later, he was heard saying to himself: "I cannot yet wage war on this country." Perhaps it was this thought that led him to send a note to Chamberlain—a note, as far as he was concerned, Compromise note. In Britain, far less prepared for war than Germany, Prime Minister Chamberlain was preparing to broadcast a speech to the nation.In Britain, criticism of his appeasement policies has grown, and he himself has been plagued by suspicion.At 8:00 a.m., just before he stepped onto the stage—simultaneously with the announcement of General Mobilization of the British Fleet—he said: “I was walking around, staggering.” Then he publicly exposed his fears: “What a horror, what a Incredible, unbelievable! We want to put on gas masks just because of a quarrel in a distant country among people we don't know! Especially when a quarrel, settled in principle, becomes This is even more impossible!" He then warned people to prepare for greater concessions. "Deep in my heart, I love peace. In my opinion, fighting among countries is a nightmare; but once I am convinced that a country has determined to use force to dominate the world, I think we should resist .Under this kind of rule, people who believe in freedom cannot live. But war is indeed terrible, and we should have a clear understanding of this before embarking on the road of war. It must be fought when it is on the verge of death." Two hours later, Hitler's letter arrived - raising the chancellor's hopes. As usual, the letter began with a diatribe against the Czechs; then it evasively suggested that Chamberlain should continue his efforts "to get Prague to change his mind at the last moment".To a desperate Chamberlain, the gap seemed to have narrowed. He then hastily drafted a reply requesting another meeting with the Führer. "I am convinced that we can reach an agreement within a week... I do not believe that you are willing to accept the responsibility of starting a world war that threatens to destroy civilization just by delaying a few more days to resolve long-standing issues." The prime minister then drew up another private letter to Mussolini, informing him of his latest appeal to Hitler. "I trust that you will inform the Chancellor of Germany that you are willing to act as a representative, and urge him to accept my proposal, because this proposal will prevent the peoples of all countries from going to war." So, with renewed hope, he worked tirelessly until late at night, preparing for the next Speech delivered in Reichstag on the morning of 1999 - the day Hitler's ultimatum expired. Wednesday, September 28, was a dreadful day.In Berlin, the epicenter of the crisis, the day began with frenzy.At 8 o'clock in the morning, the French ambassador, François Bence, called Weizsack and urgently asked to see the head of state, saying that he would put forward new proposals.Weitzsack hurried to the Kaiserhof Hotel - where his boss lived.However, "because of the possibility of sabotage by his own hand, and it was done by Paris", Ribbentrop was furious. According to Weitzsacker, he said at the time: "The real differences between the two sides are very small and only concern the method of merging the Sudetenland. It is absurd to start a war over such a trivial matter." "Leave that to the Führer!" cried Ribbentrop.After speaking, the two went to the prime minister's office together with emotions. At 10 a.m., four hours before Hitler's ultimatum was due, François Bence called Henderson and said he was afraid something was wrong.His request to see the head of state has not yet been approved.Obviously, the head of state does not seem to be meeting with envoys from various countries today.Henderson promised to help.First, he called Göring to say that Hitler was refusing to see François Bense, who had a new proposal of war or peace.Goering interrupted him.Not so long ago the invader of Vienna, he now played the role of mediator. "You don't have to say a word," he said, "I'm going to the Führer at once!" In the Chancellery, Schmidt has never seen people so busy. "Ministers and generals who hurried to see the head of state, with their party members, aides, officers at all levels or heads of departments, sitting or standing, can be found everywhere." Hitler ran around and elaborated on his point of view, the advice of others is not listened to.When Goering came to speak, the head of state had already returned to Winter Garden.Goering found that the former Foreign Minister Niu Wright was also in the living room, so he invited him to meet Hitler together.However, as soon as he entered the conference room, the burden of debate fell on Niu Wright. "My Fuehrer," he said, "will you go to war no matter what the circumstances are? Of course not!" Ribbentrop lingered outside the Winter Garden, hoping that the Führer would invite him in.Goering came out of the garden, strode towards him with hostility, and shouted: "Mr. von Ribbentrop, if war breaks out, I will be the first to tell the German people that you are the one who got it wrong." That's how it is!" In front of groups of adjutants, the two senior leaders began to exchange words, intimidating and insulting.Ribbentrop accused the opponent of being afraid of war; Göring yelled and retorted that as long as the Führer gave the order to "march", he would set off on the lead plane-on condition that Ribbentrop must sit behind him! "If it weren't for the seriousness of the situation," Weidmann recalls, "it would be ridiculous for these two 'neurotic actors' to attack each other, as often happens on the stage before rehearsals." A little later, at eleven o'clock in the morning, Ribbentrop was finally summoned to the Winter Garden to attend a meeting with François Bense.According to the French ambassador waving a map to predict, if the attack on Czechoslovakia, the war will inevitably spread to the whole of Europe. "Naturally, you are as confident of victory as we are of defeating you. But why would you risk it when your main demand can be met without a war?" Evidently, the words of François Bence slowly turned the tide in favor of peace.Hitler was no longer furious, but he could not answer the Frenchman's logic either.Suddenly an adjutant interrupted to say that the ambassador Attolico was outside the door asking for an urgent message from Rome. Seeing the Führer coming out of the Winter Garden, Attolico shouted impolitely from a distance, saying that he had an urgent letter from Mussolini! "The Prime Minister of Italy informs you that no matter what decision you make, the Head of State, Fascist Italy will be your backing." After taking a breath, he added: "However, the Prime Minister of Italy's opinion is that you should accept the British proposal. He begs you not to engage in general mobilization." "Tell the Prime Minister of Italy that I accept his proposal." Hitler entered the Winter Garden after finishing speaking.He told François Bense that Mussolini had just asked him if he would accept his proposal—without saying that he had agreed to do so.The two continued to talk.But Hitler was restless.It was clear that he was still considering Mussolini's opinion.After a while, he stood up, indicating that the meeting was over.François Bense asked if he should inform his government that the Führer's attitude had not changed.Hitler replied uneasily that he would reply in the afternoon. People continued to enter Winter Garden one by one.A few minutes after noon, Henderson pushed through the crowd in the reception room and entered the Winter Garden. "Things are easier to handle," a German friend whispered to him, "just to eat and live." In the conference room, Hitler listened patiently.Schmidt translated Chamberlain's proposal: He would immediately come to Berlin to consult with him.Hitler replied that he had to speak to Mussolini first. Mussolini favored the idea.He suggested that everyone meet at a meeting in Munich.After Hitler agreed, he hastily extended invitations to Daladier and Chamberlain.The invitation sent to Chamberlain arrived when the latter was speaking in the House of Representatives.At this time, Queen Mary was standing in the corridor with Halifax, Baldwin and other dignitaries.As soon as Chamberlain announced that Hitler had accepted Mussolini's proposal to postpone the general mobilization, the chancellor handed him a note.The Prime Minister's expression changed immediately.He said intermittently: "More than that, I have something to say to you. I have been notified by Mr. Hitler that he invited me to meet him in Munich tomorrow morning. He also invited Messrs. Mussolini and Daladier. "I don't know who shouted: "Thank God for the Prime Minister!" "As soon as this remark came out, the audience shouted hysterically. As a symbol of self-control, Queen Mary, together with the Duchess of Kent and Lady Chamberlain, burst into tears. Sir John Simon wrote in his memoirs: "The cheers Coming from all directions.Those who did not cheer were very few.It was unanimously agreed to adjourn immediately.I saw with my own eyes men (some of whom had scorned Chamberlain) walk up in tears and shake the Prime Minister's hand vigorously. "There were also a handful of unmoved members of the House of Representatives, one of whom was Winston Churchill. " "What about Czechoslovakia?" ’ He was heard to say bitterly: ‘Hasn’t it occurred to anyone to ask for their opinion? " In democracies, too, people are relieved, with few exceptions.On the streets of Paris, London and New York, people jubilantly clamored for extra news that the crisis was over.Ambassador Britt wrote to his friend Roosevelt from Paris: "Tonight, I am so relieved that I want to hug everyone. I wish I were in the White House, so that I can slap you hard on your bald head. Kiss!" President Roosevelt sent a two-word telegram from Washington to Chamberlain: Good man. From another President (Benes), the Prime Minister received a longer telegram - a request: "I sincerely turn to Mr. Chamberlain, as we sincerely wish to contribute to peace. I therefore beg you, Don't make any decisions in Munich until you hear Czechoslovakia's complaint." Most Germans were also relieved, but the anti-Hitler bloc was dumbfounded.This news derailed their plans to capture Hitler by force and establish military rule.When Halder learned that the meeting was to be held in Munich, he felt that "under the circumstances it was no longer possible to carry out the plan of the uprising". At 6:00 p.m., amidst the warm cheers of the crowd, the luxury train of the Italian Prime Minister left Rome.He was in high spirits.enraptured.This is because he was not only hailed globally as a savior of peace, but also earned Hitler's gratitude for helping Hitler through his troubles.Mussolini also felt that he had won a diplomatic battle against Britain.At dinner with Ciano, he made fun of them in a friendly way. "In a country where animals are so worshiped that houses and hospitals are built for them, and cemeteries are built for them, and even the inheritance goes to parrots, you can believe that it is beginning to decay. Besides, Among other reasons, this is also a consequence of the British national structure. There are 4 million women with a surplus, and 4 million women with unsatisfied sexual desires. A series of problems have been artificially created-in order to appease their reason, or Turn it on. Because they can't hug a man. They have to hug all of humanity."