Box 18

Scope and Contents Recalls incident which took place in connection with so-called "stand still" agreement with Germany whereby Germany could be given some relief from payment of debts and reparations; Heinrich Brüning then Chancellor and Wilhelm von Bülow were handling matter for Foreign Office; on evening when agreement was finally reached, Ambassador [Frederick Moseley] Sackett gave small dinner which included the Messersmiths and visiting State Department official; the official called Washington to get...

Scope and Contents Describes arrangement for admission of Communists from Russia into U.S. via Berlin in order to secure training in American factories; admission of Communists not strictly legal, but thought to be in best interests of American business as Russians were buying large quantities of American factory machinery and equipment; each applicant for admission carefully screened in Berlin Consulate to be sure he was bona fide engineer or technician and not simply Soviet agent; asked for and received help...

Scope and Contents Recalls interview with Gen. [Karl] Ernst, head of S.A. and S.S. in Berlin area; and personal executioner for Nazi regime; had talked with Goering protesting treatment of American citizens and he suggested Messersmith talk with Ernst, arranging interview for next day; Ernst came to Consulate; talked with him alone; told him frankly that he might consider himself powerful, but that he was powerful in only a small area, that America and some of Germany's neighboring countries would not stand...

Scope and Contents Discusses character and activities of [Paul Josef] Goebbels; extremely intelligent, but with a devious and criminally dangerous mind; as Minister of Propaganda he had control of all public opinion forming means in Germany - schools, churches, newspapers, magazines, radio, and theatre; had appointment with him to discuss recent order which had been issued over his signature banning distribution of American films in Germany; was at his office promptly at hour fixed, but was kept waiting in the...

Scope and Contents Recalls conversation with [Hermann] Goering; soon after arrival in Berlin became acquainted with [Erhard] Milch, then head of Deutsche Lufthansa, German air transport line, and recognized as a great administrator and pioneer in international air transport; when Nazis came into power, Goering believed first thing Germany had to do was to develop an air force superior to that of all other powers; although a flyer himself, he knew nothing of technical or operational ends of air transportation...

Scope and Contents Tells of visit to Berlin of Albert Wiggin, Chairman of Board of Chase National Bank; he was in London and while there he was invited by Hitler to come to see him in Berlin; didn't think visit would serve useful purpose, but didn't oppose it; present at interview were Wiggin, Hitler, and two interpreters; to start conversation, Hitler's interpreter informed him Wiggin was an important banker with great knowledge of financial and economic conditions throughout the world; Hitler then started...

Scope and Contents Observations on appointment of William E. Dodd as Ambassador to Germany; many were surprised at the appointment; Roosevelt wanted his Ambassador to Germany to be someone who knew Germany and the German people and who knew something of historical development of modern Europe, as Dodd did; he was an eminent scholar and historian, but known only to other scholars, and was totally inexperienced in diplomatic work; he seemed to distrust his Embassy staff, some of whom were good capable people and...

Scope and Contents Soon after Nazis came into power in 1933 [Hermann] Goering invited himself to lunch; very reluctantly agreed to have him come, for Mrs. Messersmith had declared she would not have a Nazi in the house; after lunch Goering said, "I want you to tell me what the Monroe Doctrine is"; started to give him some historical background, but he interrupted impatiently, "What you call the Monroe Doctrine means keeping hold and everybody else staying out --- I want you to know that everything below the...

Scope and Contents Relates several incidents of attacks on American citizens in Germany; authorities expressed regret after attacks, but did not prevent them from recurring; suggested possible break in relations unless attacks ceased; Ambassador [William E.] Dodd instructed to see Hitler and personally deliver message to that effect; Dodd ill and requested Messersmith to deliver message; could not see Hitler, but saw Goering and delivered message to him; Goering immediately dictated order addressed to all...

Scope and Contents Comments on efforts of Hitler regime to control the Church; Lutheran Church partially subsidized by Government and could be more easily controlled than the Catholic; apart from determination to control, Hitler regime had their eyes on valuable church properties such as convents and monasteries which they wanted to use for Party purposes; idea sprang up that there should be some new arrangement between Hitler regime and the Vatican; Vatican seemed receptive to idea and mission was sent to...

Scope and Contents Among those in U.S. who couldn't believe what was happening in Germany in 1933 was the radio commentator [Hans von] Kaltenborn; he came with wife and son to Berlin and called at Consulate; he thought reports of attacks on American citizens exaggerated; told him he wouldn't have to stay long to find out for himself; the day he was to leave he was on the street with his wife and son when a parade of S.A. and S.S. men passed along the street and people on the sidewalks stood and gave the Nazi...

Scope and Contents Relates incident of visit of Lord [Waldorf] Astor and two members of Parliament to Berlin in connection with Christian Science Churches; by Government orders Christian Science Churches in Germany had been closed and their property confiscated; Astor and his companions had been waiting several days trying to see [Louis] Franck, Minister who had charge of such affairs, but apparently their Ambassador had been unable to arrange it; [Reuben Henry] Markham, correspondent of the Christian Science...

Scope and Contents Comments on character of [Ernst Franz Sedgwick] Hanfstaengl; Hanfstaengl, a graduate of Harvard, a classmate of President Roosevelt whom he claimed was a close friend; because of his years in the U.S. and his supposed knowledge of the country, Hitler made him one of his intimates; understood too he was a good pianist and could entertain Hitler; Hanfstaengl could be gracious and charming when it pleased him or arrogant and unpleasant when he chose; the Messersmiths made a point of not...

Scope and Contents Discusses character of Nazi leaders; hardly one of them could be considered normal human being; few of them had been outside Germany and had little knowledge of outside world; they found they could do as they liked in Germany and, drunk with power, thought they could dominate the world; they were all fanatics and it was almost impossible to carry on reasonable conversation with them; Goering could occasionally be reasonable, but he too was abysmally ignorant of outside world; Ribbentrop had...

Scope and Contents Reports conversation with Sir Eric Phipps, British Ambassador in Berlin, early in 1934; Sir Eric suggested through John Campbell White, Counselor of U.S. Embassy, that he would like to talk with Messersmith; White arranged luncheon after which Messersmith and Sir Eric had private session; Sir Eric said he was new in Berlin but had been told Messersmith had had much contact with leading people of Hitler regime, and he hoped would be willing to give him a picture of leading people as he saw...

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Comments on strains of work at post at Berlin; often worked until midnight and was at office early next morning; Mrs. Messersmith felt strain also.

Scope and Contents Has often been asked if there is such a thing as a good German; basic difference between English and Americans on the one hand and Germans on the other is that no amount of bad government will lead English and Americans to accept it; may have to endure bad situation for a time, but find ways to get rid of it; mentions specifically in America [Joseph] McCarthy and Father Coughlin; few Englishmen are proud of Sir [Oswald] Moseley, but they suppressed his endeavor to implant Fascism in England;...