The Military Attache in Great Britain to the Reich War Ministry
The Military Attache in Great Britain to the Reich War Ministry (Copy to the Foreign Ministry)
Source: Documents on German Foreign Policy vol. V, p.119. II M 914 g.
LONDON, March 12, 1936.
Received [March 13] Annex 12 to [Report] 10/36 Seen: v. Hoesch.
Subject : Personal impressions in London on March 12, evening.
1) There seems to be a gulf between the assessment of the situation at the main political battlefield in London and at the German nerve-centre [ Zentrale ].
2) Of the views I have heard, that of the American Military Attache is still the most optimistic (see Annex 11 to this report). My own view was today described, by an observer outside the Embassy whom I have come to know as an exceptionally good judge, as not sufficiently serious [ zu wenig ernst ].
3) British public opinion has so far held steady. It has not improved. It can, as experience has shown, do a very sudden about-turn. Important weapons, such as the powerful voice of Austen Chamberlain, appear so far to have been deliberately [planmaessig] held in reserve.
4) Fleet Street and the Labour Party are deeply disturbed, more than before . Leading articles and letters to the newspapers are misleading as the Government press is trying to hold firm. Lloyds' and insurance premiums against war run for one month or longer and are at the moment still undisturbed.
5) Within and outside the Embassy, there is not one informed person who has witnessed developments in the last few days and is other than deeply disturbed. The view that Berlin does not sufficiently appreciate the seriousness of the situation, is general. 5[sic]) In practice, the following possibilities are for consideration: a) A further attempt to bring about a rapprochement between the German and French standpoints by negotiation. This is at the moment still in progress, if with little observable prospect of success. b) An ultimatum for the withdrawal of the German troops. Will certainly be avoided as long as possible by the British side. c) Sanctions resolutions, once the League of Nations Committee has gone into session. British participation seems entirely possible; the probable German reply is causing the advocates of peace profound anxiety. Pacification on a basis of the present status quo , as in the question of military sovereignty, seems altogether difficult to conceive. A warning must be given against building solely on the attitude of the monarch, should this perhaps have been taken to be one of preserving peace unconditionally. [ Es ist davor zu warnen, allein auf eine etwa als unbedingte Friedenssicherung angenommende [sic] Einstellung des Traegers der Krone zu bauen. ]
