The Wilmington morning star., 1945-11-23
HINDENBURC WILL
URGED MONARCHY
CONTINUED from Page One)

international Tribunal that linden
burg's warning against consolida-
ton of the two high offices was
promoted by, the obvious danger
that Hitler would attempt to have
himself elected, Reich President or
else promote the acquisition of this
post by one of his followers.
Both possibilities had to be pre-
vented" Won Papen said. "As an
alternative, it seemed best to re-
store the constitutional monarchy"
Won Papen said he then broach-
ed the matter to Hitler, who SEEM
ed to be completely in favor OF
the idea. Hitler frequently had voic-
ed admiration for Prussia's rulers,
he said.
1T is a good idea to consider
restoration of the monarchy" Won
Papen quoted Hitler as saying. 1--WE
can do it as soon as 1 have re-
stored order to the Reich reason
ably we'll. The monarchy must
have good start.
Won Papen said he went straight
to Hindenburg and suggested that
he draw up statement dealing
with the monarchy and the ques-
ton of it's succession, through which
he might express his last will to
the German people. .
Won Papen said Hindenburg
agreed and instructed him to pre-
pare the testament.
Gas the result of further discus
sion, it was deemed necessary that
if Hindenburg should bequeath such
a public testament he should in
his last will express his views not
only. on the question of succession,
but also on general foreign and
domestic policies and such prob
lens as were occupying the Ger
man people at that time," Won
Papen said.
Won Papen, himself twice Chan
cellor of Germany, said that Hin
denburg's son Oskar, gave him the
will and testament at the time of
the funeral.
Several days later. / personal
ly passed it on to Hitler with the
urgent request to carry out the
last will Of this great historical
figure of the German nation" Won
Papen wrote. "The testament was
never published as far as I know.
Not even in parts"
Following is what Won Papen
gave as the reconstructed last will
and testament:
''To the Chancellor Of the Reich,
A.. Hitler, Berlin
MY last will:
TN my advanced age, God may
soon call me away from this life.
Therefore, I wish to proclaim here
by to you and the German people,
to whom the services of all my
Life were dedicated, my conception
and my wishes for the future of
the people and the state.
"1n one Of the gravest hours in
The German peoples inner politi-
cal life, I have called you, Mr..
of the Reich, to be head
of the government of the Reich
The German people are torn apart
into many parties and split and
shattered by social struggles which
we're aggravated by unemployment
On an unheard of scale.
"You have built up a movement
which represents big social pro-
gram and which desires to reestab-
ish the full sovereignty of the Ger
nan Reich in matters of foreign
policy and to clear it from the
Unjust blame of being the only one
guilty for the world war.
''1n approval of this program,
o be carried out by peaceful
means, I have entrusted to you the
leadership of the government.
1T gives me great happiness to
zee that the lost sense of national
unity is growing again, that the
German worker considers himself
/ valuable and important part of
he German people, that class
hatred is vanishing and that peas
ants, business men and scientists !
oday are again marching hand in
land.
"A large program of work pro-
again secures work and
he daily bread for the major part
If our people.
''All this represents big step
:orward. For, if Germany is to re-
occupy her once so respected place
n the council of European Nations,
Ter inner balance must first be
.eestablished by unity, law and or
ier.
1.-The more orderly and just the
manner in which a state is govern
I'd and administered, the greater
he respect and confidence it en-
oys in the life of nations; the SOON
,r also will it find readiness to be
accorded the rights to which a
sovereign state is inalienably en-
titled and which it has the duty
% demand by peaceful aims.
"Although it is true that in ex-
;raordinary times the use of extra
ordinary methods by a government
s indicated and permitted, the ex-
,erience of a long life, ripened in
ong and hard discipline, has taught
ne that it is necessary to return as
early as possible to normal con-
litions under which the powers Of
he state can be controlled by par
lament and Independent agencies.
advantageous as it may seem