VOLUME XIV

16 May 46
that France and England would not interfere. In the third place
was the fact that just a few months before, in July 1937, the second
naval agreement had been signed. These three facts seemed to
me to make, it certain that Hitler would not seek a warlike solution
to these problems of Austria and Czechoslovakia. At that time it
was a question of the Sudetenland under any circumstances and it
seemed he would strive for a peaceful solution. For that reason
the speech did not impress me with the fact that Hitler at that
time wanted to change his policy-that he wanted to turn from a
policy of peace to one of war. I can imagine that Herr Von Neu-
rath, not knowing the purpose of this speech, received a different
impression. But, as I now think back over the matter, I can imagine
that the exaggerated character of the speech was specifically
intended to force Von Neurath out of the Cabinet, because I have
learned that at that time the Fuhrer was already inclined to replace
Von Neurath by Von Ribbentrop. That was only an assumption
which I made afterwards.
For me the conclusions to be drawn from the speech were none
other than these: The construction of the fleet in the ratio of one
to three, relative to England, was to be continued, and a friendly
relationship with England was still to be striven for. The ratio
agreement which had just been reached was to be observed.
DR. SIEMERS: And, it is obvious at the end of the document-
namely, in the fourth paragraph from the end-that Field Marshal
Von Blomberg and Colonel General Von Fritsch, in giving their
estimate of the situation, repeatedly pointed out the necessity of
England and France not playing the role of our enemies. This is
'commented on further, and one sees that Blomberg and' Fritsch
,were disturbed and for once opposed Hitler.
After the speech you talked to Blomberg.. Is it true that Blom-
berg, who can unfortunately not be examined and Fritsch, who is
also dead, saw through this exaggeration of Hitler's and therefore
pointed out their misgivings and in this way intended to intervene?
About what did you talk to Blomberg after this speech?
RAEDER: In the first place, Blomberg and Fritsch.. .
THE PRESIDENT: You must try not to put leading questions,
Dr. Siemers. You are putting into the witness'. mouth what you
want him to answer. If you want to.. .
DR. SIEMERS: I am sorry if I did sa. It is a little difficult when
the two men who were there, Blomberg and Fritsch, are dead.
I can only point out that they are not alive now. My final
question is. . .
THE PRESIDENT: That cannot be helped, the fact that they
are dead. But, if you want to get anything in about that, you must
get it from the witness, not from yourself.