from his “statesman” role into what he liked to think of as his “canny politician” persona.
“I would like, President Davis, the loan of two or three regiments of your army, in order to assist us in our—” the interpreter struggled for an appropriate English word, but ended up using the original German “—
Putsch
against the weak-willed spineless Weimar government.”
Davis pushed his pince-nez further up his nose and laughed. “Sir, I am sorry to have to tell you the truth—a thing no politician ever likes to do. Our army is made up of untrained boys. We’re giving boys only fifteen or sixteen years old rifles twice their age and telling them to defend their country against an enemy which, truth to tell, seems to have largely lost interest in us.”
“The German army in the trenches was made up largely of boys. If it hadn’t been for the damned British Navy, and the Jews and the Communists stabbing us in the back, those boys would have won.” The German’s face was becoming flushed. He pushed his forelock out of his eyes, pulled a handkerchief out of his jacket sleeve, and wiped his face with it.
“I don’t doubt the courage of boys, be they good Dixie lads or good Germans. I simply doubt their ability. In any case, I can’t easily go sending our army off to foreign lands to interfere in another country’s internal politics.”
The other sighed, and looked disappointed. “I was afraid you would say something like that. There is, however, one more point I would like to make.”
“Go on.” Davis appeared bored, rolling a pencil back and forth between his palms, a habit he had recently developed in lengthy Senate meetings.
“The late President Wilson’s League of Nations…”
“Go on.” The pencil stopped moving.
“Forgive me if I am a little direct here, but…”
“I said ‘Go on,’ sir.” The tone was sharp.
“The CSA has applied to become a member? And the USA is threatening a veto blocking the application?”
“Yes. It may not be public knowledge, but anyone with his ear to the ground may know that. So, I congratulate your ears on being so close to the ground.”
The remark was ignored. “The USA would very much like Germany to become a part of the League of Nations. It is part of their gentlemanly nature to forgive the defeated underdog, and raise them up, and all the rest of that high-minded nonsense. It’s also a way of controlling Germany, of course. A Germany ruled by my party would make it a condition of joining the League of Nations that the Confederate States of America be admitted at the same time. Given the ‘fraternal’ nature of the League,” Hitler’s interpreter somehow managed to speak the quotation marks, “acceptance of your ‘peculiar institution’ and the Confederacy would be more widespread.” The quotation marks were audible once again. “More trade, more prosperity for us all, and your people in particular if you make an alliance with us, the National Socialist German Workers’ Party.”
Davis rolled the title of the political party round in his mouth. “‘National Socialist German Workers’ Party’, huh? Sounds to me like you’re trying to be all things to everyone. Bit of nationalism, bit of socialism, appeal to the workers. Good name there.”
The German smiled, almost for the first time in the conversation. “I’m glad you appreciate our points on this matter, Mr. President, even if you don’t see other things our way.”
“But Mr. Hitler,” Davis was standing up now, and moving around his desk to lay a hand on his visitor’s shoulder. Hitler flinched a little at the physical contact, but Davis affected not to notice. “I do see things your way. I think we have a lot in common, and I shall reflect very seriously on what you have said just now to me.”
The other stood and turned to face his host. “So you will send troops?” he asked
“I would like, President Davis, the loan of two or three regiments of your army, in order to assist us in our—” the interpreter struggled for an appropriate English word, but ended up using the original German “—
Putsch
against the weak-willed spineless Weimar government.”
Davis pushed his pince-nez further up his nose and laughed. “Sir, I am sorry to have to tell you the truth—a thing no politician ever likes to do. Our army is made up of untrained boys. We’re giving boys only fifteen or sixteen years old rifles twice their age and telling them to defend their country against an enemy which, truth to tell, seems to have largely lost interest in us.”
“The German army in the trenches was made up largely of boys. If it hadn’t been for the damned British Navy, and the Jews and the Communists stabbing us in the back, those boys would have won.” The German’s face was becoming flushed. He pushed his forelock out of his eyes, pulled a handkerchief out of his jacket sleeve, and wiped his face with it.
“I don’t doubt the courage of boys, be they good Dixie lads or good Germans. I simply doubt their ability. In any case, I can’t easily go sending our army off to foreign lands to interfere in another country’s internal politics.”
The other sighed, and looked disappointed. “I was afraid you would say something like that. There is, however, one more point I would like to make.”
“Go on.” Davis appeared bored, rolling a pencil back and forth between his palms, a habit he had recently developed in lengthy Senate meetings.
“The late President Wilson’s League of Nations…”
“Go on.” The pencil stopped moving.
“Forgive me if I am a little direct here, but…”
“I said ‘Go on,’ sir.” The tone was sharp.
“The CSA has applied to become a member? And the USA is threatening a veto blocking the application?”
“Yes. It may not be public knowledge, but anyone with his ear to the ground may know that. So, I congratulate your ears on being so close to the ground.”
The remark was ignored. “The USA would very much like Germany to become a part of the League of Nations. It is part of their gentlemanly nature to forgive the defeated underdog, and raise them up, and all the rest of that high-minded nonsense. It’s also a way of controlling Germany, of course. A Germany ruled by my party would make it a condition of joining the League of Nations that the Confederate States of America be admitted at the same time. Given the ‘fraternal’ nature of the League,” Hitler’s interpreter somehow managed to speak the quotation marks, “acceptance of your ‘peculiar institution’ and the Confederacy would be more widespread.” The quotation marks were audible once again. “More trade, more prosperity for us all, and your people in particular if you make an alliance with us, the National Socialist German Workers’ Party.”
Davis rolled the title of the political party round in his mouth. “‘National Socialist German Workers’ Party’, huh? Sounds to me like you’re trying to be all things to everyone. Bit of nationalism, bit of socialism, appeal to the workers. Good name there.”
The German smiled, almost for the first time in the conversation. “I’m glad you appreciate our points on this matter, Mr. President, even if you don’t see other things our way.”
“But Mr. Hitler,” Davis was standing up now, and moving around his desk to lay a hand on his visitor’s shoulder. Hitler flinched a little at the physical contact, but Davis affected not to notice. “I do see things your way. I think we have a lot in common, and I shall reflect very seriously on what you have said just now to me.”
The other stood and turned to face his host. “So you will send troops?” he asked
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