Roosevelt in Germany

July 15, 1934 Berlin

Roosevelt, accompanied by Hitler in the back seat, ride through the streets of Berlin (Photo by Fousesquawk News Service . All rights reserved)


President Franklin D Roosevelt spent his 3rd day in Berlin today as part of his state visit to Adolf Hitler's new Germany. The visit occurs only two weeks after Hitler and his SS put down a planned coup by radicals led by Ernst Roehm and his SA. Roosevelt praised the quick and decisive action by the Fuehrer to stamp out radicals who were hijacking Nazism. Hitler referred to them as "misunderstanders" of Nazism. Roosevelt agreed, referring to passages from Mein Kampf that clearly pointed out the Fuehrer's responsibility to protect Germany from "radical" Nazis.

Speaking this morning at Berlin's Humboldt University, Roosevelt sang the praises of the German Spring.

"There is nothing more awe inspiring than to wake up to the sight of those red-white-black  banners fluttering in the breeze and the sound of the Horst Wessel song", said the President.



Roosevelt also sharply criticized German Jews who had spread false information about the German Spring as he announced a new aid package to Germany in the form of 2 billion dollars a year to help strengthen the Reichswehr as a bulwark against radical influences in the country. A new arms deal for the SS has also been approved.

Roosevelt also  urged Jews in Germany to work with the "new order" for peace and prosperity while ceasing their requests for new synagogues that would only divide the German Volk. He also condemned Americans who were critical of the new leadership, calling them "Germanophobes" and promised to silence them once he returned to America. He specifically directed his criticism to American actor John Wayne, who has appeared in a new film portraying a war against Germany. The film sparked riots all over Germany.



"Free speech has its limits," said the President.

In addition, Roosevelt also commented favorably on similar movements to spread the German Spring to other neighboring countries as part of an overall "European Spring". As part of this message, Roosevelt warned Poland about over-reacting to events in Germany. (He is pointedly not stopping over in Warsaw for a visit, which the Polish government regards as a snub.) Hitler promised a diplomatic initiative to improve relations with his European neighbors including a series of state visits.


Imagine a world without borders

The President and Fuehrer also promised more initiatives to further mutual understanding.

 


In this spirit, Roosevelt and Hitler further announced that they will authorize the German diplomatic mission in the US to double in size. Nazi liaisons will be established in all the major departments including the Department of Defense, State, Education, and Justice. The German-American Bund has already announced its willingness to furnish advisers.


Design for new German embassy in Washington DC


In addition, the US will work with Germany to fund new German studies departments in major universities, not only to teach the German language, but to educate American students about Nazism and the works of the Fuehrer. A Nazi liaison official will work with US education officials to approve appropriate texts for the study of Nazism. Below, you can see one already in use in Texas und Kalifornien.



Translation: "Jewish murder plan against non-Jews uncovered"

In addition, Roosevelt supported the idea of more German Students Associations in US universities.



"Boycott France!"

The only negative point was that Roosevelt failed in his efforts to re-negotiate a new trade pact with Hitler to correct the imbalance in beer exports. While German beer is a popular import in the US, the Germans steadfastly refused all requests to import American Budweiser into Germany.

But all in all, the President's visit to Germany has been a historic occasion. It signals a new era in German-American understanding. Next week, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain plans to visit the new Germany.