Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of German a few days ago on Jan. 30. Today, in secret, he informed senior officers of the Army and Navy of his intention to re-arm the nation in defiance of the Treaty of Versailles, expand the military through a draft, and invade Eastern Europe.
The clandestine plan runs counter to what Hitler just implied in a radio address 2 days ago:
“Great as is our love for our Army as the bearer of our arms and the symbol of our great past, we should be happy if the world, by reducing its armaments, would see to it that we need never increase our own…”
While just yesterday, a disarmament conference opened in Geneva with Joseph Goebbels representing Germany. The conference will drag on until October as Germany refuses any plan except immediate parity with other European countries and demands that Storm Troopers not be counted as military.
Paul von Hindenburg remains President of the Weimar Republic of Germany.
Von Hindenburg came to prominence as German Chief of General Staff during WWI.
“He and his deputy Erich Ludendorff then led Germany in a de facto military dictatorship throughout the remainder of the war, marginalizing German Emperor Wilhelm II as well as the German Reichstag [legislature]......[H]e advocated sweeping annexations of territories in Poland, Ukraine and Russia in order to resettle Germans there.” (Wikipedia)
An election is scheduled for March 5 to determine the composition of the German legislature (Reichstag).
The Nazis are determined to gain a majority.
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Elsewhere today, pioneer aviator Amelia Earhart delivers a lecture in Seattle, Wash., under sponsorship from the local Woman’s Century Club. She is promoting her latest book.
Last year Earhart became the second person (after Charles Lindbergh) to fly solo across the Atlantic.
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This is sixth in a series of “On this day” diaries that someone suggested.
I claim no expertise. All credit to named/linked sources and of course the indefatigable Wikipedia.
Additions and corrections welcome.
Yesterday’s diary: Opening of Geneva disarment conference.