HITLER AND I

They are an insult to the Party programme. My
patience is exhausted. The Kampfverlag will go into
voluntary liquidation. If you refuse your consent I
shall proceed against you with all the means in my
power.'

I stood up.

CI thought, Herr Hitler, that you had sent for me
for an interview that might clarify the situation. I am
quite prepared to talk things over, but I refuse to
accept an ultimatum.9

cNaturally I should like to come to some arrange-
ment/ said Hitler, a little more mildly. CI don't want
the Party to lose a man of your worth. That's why I
asked you to come here. You are young, you are an
ex-soldier, you are one of us veteran National-
Socialists, and it seems to me you should still be capable
of learning and understanding. I can't say as much for
Reventlow. He's an old man, and a journalist into the
bargain, incapable of changing his ingrained ideas.
He's a hopeless case; but you . . .'

Hitler was adopting his classic manoeuvre of
isolating his opponent.

'Your complaints are rather vague, Herr Hitler.
I can only say that the articles of the last few weeks
were written by members of the official National-
Socialist Press, and that every one of them had my
entire approval. I may say that I am delighted at
having the opportunity of explaining my position to
you/

The conversation that ensued lasted exactly seven

112