Evening star., 1948-09-26
Opposition Stunned
When the Fuehrer's
Bluff Succeeded

supporting the dictator's criminal
activities against their convictions.
In the summer Of 1888 the best
generals in the German Army
thought the idea Of war so insane
that they could not believe the canny
Fuehrer would do anything SO crazy.
This was Beck's and Witzleben's
entering wedge. Even Beck's sue
cessor. Gen. Franz Halder-a man
not nearly 50 hard and resolute as
the bluff and straightforward Witzle-
ben-went along with their plan for
revolt in 1888. In preparation, he
had the best panzer divisions in
Thuringia massed to protect Berlin
against q possible counterattack by
s. s. units stationed in Munich.
Plot Was Promising
As the sole survivor who was at
the headquarters Of the conspiracy
both in September, 1888, and during
July Of 1914, I can testify that this
1898 plot was the most earnest and
most promising in the long series Of
unsuccessful efforts to overthrow
the Nazis.
For weeks our plans had been
ready. Every building to be occupied
was marked on the maps. The tele-
grams for the provincial generals lay
ready for dispatching in Witzleben's
safe. The first proclamations and
the initial measures were worked
out to the last detail. Apparently
for success we needed only to keep
our nerve and keep our mouths shut.
And for Hitler to prove himself on
the path to war.
We needed strong nerves. For the
strain was almost inconcelVable
when, at the point of highest ten
sion, we heard over the radio that
British Premier Neville Chamber
lain was coming to Berchtesgaden.
We did not believe our ears when
we learned that he was coming
again-to Godesberg this time. We
breathed sign of relief when, after
a dramatic interlude, we were in
formed that he was returning
empty handed to London.
Czech Tension Mounts
The tension was worst of all when
Jan Masaryk, the Czech Ambas-
sador in London, chose to trans
init his secret information to
Prague over q telephone line that
led through German territory.
But then there were some favor
able elements in the situation. Dur
ing a propaganda March through
Berlin by Witzleben's troops-Hit-
Ter had ordered this-the populace
shook clenched fists at the soldiers.
The Berliners showed such hostil-
ity toward the military that Hit
ler, watching from behind a curtain
in the Reich Chancellery, foamed
with rage. He roared at Goebbels:
It can't lead a war with such a
people!" And the propaganda chief
muttered: mo, my Fuehrer, saw
for myself down there. These peo-
ole still need intensive enlighten-
ment."
On September % the climax was
reached. Both parties had firmly
declared their positions. Hitler had
rudely rejected Chamberlain's last
attempts at a rapprochement.
Within . few hours Hitler would
certainly issue his marching orders,
long since prepared for September
30. That was to be our cue.
Witzleben hurried to the War
Ministry. I can still see him re-
turning soon afterward, his features
tense, everything about him ex-
pressing firm, glad readiness.
Munich Stopped Plan
"Gisevius, it will soon be time"
he said. In a choked voice he told
me how he had persuaded Halder
to cooperate with us.
(Halder had even gone to Field
Marshal Won BrauchitSch, the
then commander in chief of the
army, who had seriously con-
sidered whether he should notify
Hitler that he would no longer
obey him. Witzleben had then
had q dramatic telephone con-
versation with Brauchitsch, had
more or less openly limited what
would happen If he did that.
Brauchitsch had declared that he
would 60 personally to see Hitler;
his decision would depend on the
outcome of the interview
But we waited for hours and
hours, waited in vain. When finally
the nervous agony was over, 1t was
time" 1t is true-time to call of
all our preparations and burn all
our plans and proclamations! For
at the last moment had come the
report that Chamberlain and French
Premier Edouard Daladier were
again stepping into a plane. And
the crime of Munich was per-
petrated.
Hitlers insanity and brutality had
won all along the line. Even then
many people foresaw that Munich
would be the first milestone on the
road to catastrophe. But the Ger
man - and foreign - newspapers
spoke differently. And a successful
revolt against a dictator who
triumphed so dramatically was now
There is no point today in brood
ing over how different the world
might be If Chamberlain had not
l. h;- h;rtaric trim Nnr In IL