Chapter 121 Chapter 20 "Unprecedented Disaster" (5)

Despite signs that Hitler would resent any further mediation by Rome, Mussolini decided to make one last attempt.The next morning, he proposed to convene a meeting of major powers to resolve the dispute.However, the head of state was not enthusiastic about this, and Britain and France were reluctant. "There is only one chance now," said Fritz Hesse, calling Hewell in Wilhelmstrasse from London, "and that is that we withdraw from Poland immediately and offer to pay for the damages. If Hitler is willing to do this, then the catastrophe is avoided." There's still a 1 percent chance." Hewell called back two hours later.

There was a deep voice on the phone—Ribbentrop. "You know who's talking," he told the other party not to say his name. "Go at once to your confidant -- you know who I mean (he means Lord Horace Wilson --) and tell him this: the Führer intends to withdraw from Poland if Germany gets Danzig and If Britain is willing to act as a mediator in the German-Polish conflict, then Germany will pay for the damage. The Fuehrer authorizes you to submit this proposal to the British Cabinet and start negotiations immediately." Hesse was taken aback.Had something manifested to open the Führer's mind at the last moment?Or is it purely a play on words, how much compromise can be made while watching the Germans with knives flying above their heads?Hesse asked Ribbentrop to repeat the proposal.He repeated it, adding: "Without any misunderstanding, you want to state again that you are acting on Hitler's express instructions and are by no means your personal private actions."

Jesse hung up on Number Ten Downing Street.The other party replied that Wilson was not free at the moment and had no time to see him.A few minutes later, at 7:44 p.m., Chamberlain walked into the House of Commons and issued a statement. "We waited there, the same way a court waits for a jury's conclusion," recalls Harold Nicholson.But the prime minister's speech was a disappointment from the start. "There was a certain emotion in his voice, as if he had a cold and was sick. He was a stranger. We expected him to give a vehement speech. No." He assured his audience that unless Hitler Withdraw its armed forces from Poland, or His Majesty's Government must act.Then, Chamberlain asserted that if such an agreement was signed, it would inevitably push the situation back to before the invasion.This surprised the audience again. "That is to say, there is a clear road for Germany and Poland to negotiate on the origin of the dispute. But it should be understood that the solution reached in this way not only protects the most important interests of Poland, but is also achieved under international guarantees. "

Chamberlain, in other words, was still vacillating (later, according to Ambassador Kennedy, he said "it was the Americans and the Jews of the world who forced him to go to war").Labor acting chairman Arthur Greenwood jumped to his feet: "Speak for Britain, Arthur!" was chanted angrily. , when we are all in danger, how long are we prepared to swing?" There were rumors that the MPs were preparing to rebel—and many MPs demanded an immediate ultimatum to Hitler without waiting for France.Chamberlain insisted on unified action.At 9:50 in the evening, he called Daladier and suggested a compromise.Daladier faltered: his cabinet insisted on delaying Hitler's retreat from Poland until noon the next day.As soon as the phone was put down, Hesse came to No. 10 Downing Street to see Wilson.Lord Horace was "clearly moved" by Hitler's new proposal to withdraw from Poland.but was reluctant to bring it to cabinet.He said that since the last meeting between the two men, the situation had changed dramatically: Roosevelt had secretly assured Chamberlain that if he declared war, Roosevelt would support him; Russia would certainly not fight on Germany's side.

Jesse persisted. "In this proposal," he said, "I saw the last and only chance to avoid war. I also saw signs that Hitler had admitted that he had made a mistake. Otherwise, how could I have gotten this proposal. " Sir Horace did not believe that Hitler had changed his mind.Will he publicly apologize for his violence?If you can, there is a silver lining.Such advice, says Hersey, is psychologically a mistake.At least in Hitler's eyes, the responsibility for the crisis was not entirely his.As soon as this remark came out, Wilson went uncharacteristically and refuted loudly.Hitler alone is responsible for this situation! "If the suggestion fell through simply because Hitler wouldn't apologize," Hersey said desperately, "then people would believe that Chamberlain wanted to fight the war because it was avoidable rather than avoidable."

Wilson thought twice, "Okay," he said, "restate your proposal, and I may pass it on to the cabinet." After Hersey restated, Sir Horace walked up and down the room with his hands behind his back. .There is a knock on the door.A servant handed Horati a note, and after reading it twice, he burned it to ashes with the light of a candle—and started pacing again.Finally, he turned to Jesse. "I cannot pass your proposal on to the cabinet," he said.No doubt the note meant that Chamberlain had just decided to act - even without France.At 11:30 p.m., the cabinet held an emergency meeting again.Chamberlain said he planned to issue a statement to the British people at noon the next day. "I therefore suggest," he said, "that Mr. von Ribbentrop should be interviewed by Sir Nevel Henderson at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, and that, unless a reply is received by twelve o'clock, the From 12 o'clock a state of war existed between England and Germany".He added that it was possible the decision would prompt the French to act earlier, but he also doubted.

Simon retorted that by fixing the ultimatum at noon, Chamberlain would not have time to make a statement to the British people; the deadline should be 11 am. This proposal was adopted and the meeting was declared closed.At this time, there was an earth-shattering thunder in the sky—lightning struck outside the window. According to his servants, the Führer hid in the Chancellery that night, quietly discussing the war in Poland.Two hours after midnight, Hersey's report came.When he learned that the meeting between Hesse and Wilson had yielded nothing, Hitler deliberately became angry and blamed Ribbentrop for Italy's non-participation in the war.After the Minister of Foreign Affairs was reprimanded, the work was not over yet—about 4:00 a.m., the British embassy called and said that Henderson planned to hand over an important document to Ribbentrop at 9:00 a.m.Clearly, this is a hateful document, possibly even a mournful Medtron book.Ribbentrop did not want to see him.At this time, Schmidt happened to be nearby, and Ribbentrop asked him to meet Henderson for him.