Messersmith, G.S., Washington. Memorandum of conversation with Dr. [Heinrich] Bruning, former Chancellor of Germany.
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University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
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Brüning thought U.S. prudent in arming for defense; hoped U.S. would continue present trade agreements program; Blomberg not well and would probably be retired; Goering trying to get Army under his control, but could not as long as [Werner von] Fritsch and [Ludwig] Beck remained; Himmler hoped to be head of all the armed forces; Fritch and Beck had refused to send troops to Spain in 1936 at Hitler's demand; their position now weakened because of information given in Germany by several Englishmen that no matter what Germany did, England would not move against her; when the army no longer had control over foreign policy war was a certainty; Brüning concerned about English position; [Neville] Chamberlain no statesman; too old and inflexible to change his ideas; Chamberlain, [Samuel J. G.] Hoare, [John] Simon and [Montagu] Norman under delusion that if they did not support present government in Germany, it would be followed by Communism; pessimistic about Van Zeeland report; thought nothing could come out of it; hoped that England would make no concessions to Germany and Italy.