Der Fuehrer - Hitler's Rise to Power (1944) - Heiden

702 DER FUEHRERto Russia, Hitler even used the word 'friendship': 'Only thus was itunderstandable and possible for Germany to continue cultivatingfriendly relations with Russia despite the great difference between theirruling ideologies.' He admitted that the results were meager; that 'Mr.Stalin in his last great speech had expressed fear that forces hostile tothe Soviets might be active in Germany' — but he, Hitler, would correctthat impression: after all, Russia did not tolerate German NationalSocialism within her borders — and so Germany tolerated no'Communist tendencies, let alone propaganda. The more clearly andunequivocally both sides respect this state of affairs, the more naturallycan the interests common to both countries be cultivated.' He went sofar as to welcome the stabilization of conditions in Eastern Europe 'by asystem of alliances' if these alliances were truly intended to strengthenpeace.At any rate, Hitler declared, he himself had brought true peace to aregion where for years a war had secretly been smouldering, threateningthe peace of all Europe: the Polish-German border. Before he came topower an unsatisfactory state of affairs had prevailed between Germanyand Poland, a constant irritation, and even something like hereditaryenmity. In fact, Hitler might have added, he himself had fanned thisenmity to its most intense heat when in many speeches he loudlydemanded the return of the Polish Corridor. With great candor, asthough he himself had never said anything about Germany's need for'living space' in the East, the Fuhrer proceeded to explain that there wasno reason for such an hereditary enmity in either nation and that therenever would be any reason for it: 'Germans and Poles will have to facethe fact of each other's existence and make the best of it. Therefore, it isexpedient to accept a circumstance which could not be removed duringthe past thousand years and which will not be removed after us, and togive it such a form that both nations will derive as much profit from itas possible.' Hitler did not deny 'the differences that doubtless exist' andindicated his regret that Pilsudski had so far avoided an interview withhim; yet he was 'happy to find that the leader of the present Polish state,Marshal Pilsudski, had the same broadminded approach that he [Hitler]had himself.' If anything remained to be desired, it was the settlement ofcommercial