Adolf Hitler German Reich Chancellor Franz von Papen Signed Letter WWII Document

Description: LOT-O372. For your consideration is an exceedingly rare and historically important original antique c.1955 German Reich typeset letter from Germany Chancellor Franz von Papen to Mr. Henry F. Taylor of New York, NY, United States of America. The content of the letter is important. It references life, post WWII, and the hopes of prosperity on the horizon. Subject matter includes: Russian Soviet Propaganda, Adolf Hitler, the French ratification of German rearmament, a failing United Europe, Paris Treaties, and restoring diplomatic relations with the East. The letter consists of two pages on a single leaf. The original document measures approximately 8.25" x 11.5". The original mailing envelope, hand-addressed to Mr. Taylor from Chancellor Papen is included. The envelope measures approximately 6.0" x 4.5". Franz Joseph Hermann Michael Maria von Papen, Erbslzer zu Werl und Neuwerk (German: 29 October 1879 2 May 1969) was a German politician, diplomat, Prussian nobleman and General Staff officer. A national conservative, he served as the chancellor of Germany in 1932 and then as the vice-chancellor under Adolf Hitler from 1933 to 1934. Papen is largely remembered for his role in bringing Hitler to power. Document transcript: Obersasbach Uber Achern / Baden (About Achern / Baden). January 4, 1955. Dear Mr. Taylor: It was a rare and very special pleasure to have this long and most interesting letter of a man as highly occupied as you are. Please take or sincerest thanks -- from my wife and daughters as well - we all are so anxious to learn how the present situation will be looked at in your great country. Reading "Time" or any daily paper can never give an exact idea, such as you have given me in few short phrases. The general public mind in my country seems just the same as over there; a spirit of optimism about the confused world's situation. But you can not define it as well. Life is going on, production advances, and everybody hopes to have a share in the common prosperity. Very few people seem to realise that so far, the Russians are winners in their coexistence and peace proparanda; that all we can state is that they need a breathing spell - and that they will have it. Our public opinion during these last weeks has been haressed, of course, by the French spectacle. All hopes about the forming of a United Federal Europe have vanized - for we have seen that Frane prefers to organies her national self consciousness (What in its self is certainly excellent, would'nt it serve the self-dolusion of rearmed Germany's incredible dangers). You are quite right to say that my country in Europe and Japan in the Orient are now the most critical places in the world. So it will be intelligible that the people over here worry very much about the ques- tion of our reunification. With the latest French experiences, we know it from M. Mends-France himself that he would'nt lend his little finger for any step in that direction. Moreover, as have been left under the impression that at Paris, we have been put under a coercive proceeding about the Saar question. As it stands now, it is bewildering to see that our Chancellor and M.M.-Fr. are giving quite a different interpretation of this very superficial Saar-statute. It should not be forgotten that we have fought 15 years (1920-35) to preserve this German province - and that the present Statute doesn't even reserve the Saarlanders right for a final vote (in the case of a peace trenty) whether they prefer to remain a part of Germany or not. As you know, we have been most willing to concede everything the French may want in the economic field - for instance, a 99-year lease of all coal mines and steel mills. The fact that all this could'nt satisfy the French poves beyond doubt that the real reason for a complete separation of this province is the need to reduce our surface still more - the separation of the Eastern provinces and of the Sovjetzone seems an insufficient reduc-tion. But every school boy knows that a United Europe must be a farce without a very close French-German friendship. The deep deception of the effect of the French after-war policy are now on the bottom of the great ill-feeling amongst our younger generation. They do not know what they are fighting for with their 12 divisions when they see no chance of a bigger Europe and a final separation of our kin in the East. We know that many of your countrymen are simplifying the European situation from lack of knowledge, but everybody certainly hopes that the magnificent, outstanding help your great country gave to us and to this Continent must bear some fruits. Therefore, it should be understood that the whole question of our rearning will be senseless without a complete change of French thinking and policy. Sometimes they take an advice from an old and strong friend and you should think it over. You outlined in your letter the simplified view of the man in the street. I know public opinion goes that way. And this xxxxxxxxxx re- minds me Cpt. Grenfells book "Inconditional Hatred". He knows the routes of our innermost situations; we suffer from the consequences of a pro- paganda since 1914. When this man in the street says that he didnt fear the German people, but only the Kaiser and Hitler, then he should be enlightened that he is wrong with the first and that the second has been born at Versailles. You know, my dear friend, that this simpli-fying remark shall be in no way an excuse for ourselves. But I think it worthwhile, when broadcasting about our internal situation, to make a clean sweep with some of this old propaganda-stuff. The French Premier's foremost desire seems a new conference with the Kremlin. I can only say that a conference without the re-unifica-tion-question as the first point of the agenda can only do harm to the present uneasy situation over here. And I fail to see how we or you may put up without an offer in return. We have none to offer. When the Paris treaties have finally reached their ratification, we should at once restore diplomatic relations with the East. That is the only step to be taken. This enormous struggle will go on for a long time to come. And I think the Holy Father gave us the wisest advice when he spoke of a co-existence, possible only on the unshakable ground of our Christian faith. We should be as strong as possible to defend our liberty and put the rest to the wisdom and graces of God. Having this in mind, I know I meet your way of thinking and beg you to take all our sincerent wishes for a very happy new year - for your excellent work and for your great nation. God bless you all. Yours, Franz von Papen. Envelope: Mr. Henry F. Taylor, 230 Park Avenue New York 17 NY. Jan 4, 1955. From Franz von Papen after French ratification of German rearmament. Francis Henry Taylor (19031957) was a distinguished American museum director and curator who served as the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for fifteen years.

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