Posted on 08/16/2009 4:28:11 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
Molotov’s suggestions were just what [Hitler] had hoped for; they were more specific and went further than anything which he had dared to propose. There was only one difficulty. With August running out he could not wait for the slow Soviet tempo which was indicated by Molotov’s insistence on “adequate preparation” for the Foreign Minister’s visit to Moscow. Schulenburg’s report on his conversation with Molotov was telephoned by the Wilhelmstrasse to Ribbentrop at Fuschl at 6:40 A.M. on August 16 and he hurried across the mountain to seek further instruction from the Fuehrer at Obersalzberg. By early afternoon they had drawn up a reply to Molotov and it was rushed off on the teleprinter to Weizsaecker in Berlin with instructions to wire it “most urgent” to Moscow immediately.
The Nazi dictator accepted the Soviet suggestions unconditionally. Schulenburg was directed by Ribbentrop to see Molotov again and inform him
that Germany is prepared to conclude a nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union and, if the Soviet Government so desire, one which would be undenounceable for a term of twenty-five years. Further, Germany is ready to guarantee the Baltic States jointly with the Soviet Union. Finally, Germany is prepared to exercise influence for an improvement and consolidation of Russian-Japanese relations.
All pretense was now dropped that the Reich government was not in a hurry to conclude a deal with Moscow.
The Fuehrer [Ribbentrop’s telegram continued] is of the opinion that, in view of the present situation and of the possibility of the occurrence any day of serious events (please at this point explain to M. Molotov that Germany is determined not to endure Polish provocation indefinitely), a basic and rapid clarification of German-Russian relations, and of each country’s attitude to the questions of the moment, is desirable.
For these reasons I am prepared to come by airplane to Moscow at any time after Friday, August 18, to deal, on the basis of full powers from the Fuehrer, with the entire complex of German-Russian relations and, if the occasion arises, to sign the appropriate treaties.
Again Ribbentrop added an “annex” of personal instructions to his ambassador.
I request that you again read these instructions word for word to Molotov and ask for the views of the Russian Government and of M. Stalin immediately. Entirely confidentially, it is added for your guidance that it would be of very special interest to us if my Moscow trip could take place at the end of this week for the beginning of next week.
William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
Is the ping once a day? if so then I’m intrested,70 years ago the press was actually the press wasn’t it?
Detective Louis Behrens of the West 100th Street station received powder burns of the left hand yesterday when his revolver exploded as he was firing at a burglar suspect at Amsterdam Avenue near Eightieth Street.
Plus: Panama, U.S. Honor Canal’s 25th Year
Nazi-Soviet pact update at reply #2.
Roosevelt update at reply #3.
The plan is one post a day for WWII coverage. I have also been posting a weekly sports thread, like today's baseball update, and movie reviews on a less regular basis. If that sounds manageable to you then I would be happy to add you to the ping list.
And, yes, the news appears to have been reported more thoroughly back then and the spin less pronounced.
sold!!! I’ll take that. Send me the bill.
The first six years are complimentary. We only ask that you consider patronizing our advertisers. Make your next automobile purchase a La Salle or Packard, for instance. Maybe pick up a carton of Chesterfields next time you're out.
LOL!...Thanks Homer J.
Always a pleasure to read these.
fascinating that roosevelt appears to understand better than anyone what is going to happen but is still powerless to respond. the brits are sailing merrily into WWII without a clue.
bet stalin didnt expect 35 million russkies to die within the next 6 years either.
Looks like the northern states even then would turn criminals loose on society.
No fair! I had to actually read the article to figure out what you are talking about.
I wonder how he managed to get released from a local jail in Denver when he had been convicted on federal charges. There is something missing from that part of the story.
Reading between the lines, it appears that he was involved in prostitution and perhaps either strip clubs or porn. He had probably done business with some prominent figure who came through to help him get sprung. (I’m guessing that the federal law he violate was the Mann Act.)
‘Theatrical producer’, ‘nightclub singer’
Probably a dispute as to whether it was supposed to be a commercial transaction, or a free sample. Sounds like he’d gotten rough with his stable before.
I think that is the wrong video. The article says the offended party was a 59-year-old female transporting fruits and vegetables. The character getting knocked off the wall has no pumpkins or other produce that I can detect. Must be network file footage.
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