Minutes of a cabinet meeting, on the prospects of passing the enabling act, the handling of the Communist and Social Democratic representatives, and future operation of the government

MINUTES OF THE CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS 15 March 1933—6:30 p. m. at the Reich Chancellory
[Pages 2-7]
1. Political situation.—The Reich Chancellor called the meeting to order and stated that the political situation was entirely clarified, now that the "Gemeinderatswahlen" had taken place. * * * The "putting over" of the Enabling Act in the Reichstag by a two-thirds majority would,'in his opinion, meet with no opposition. * * * The Reich Minister for the Interior pointed out that the Reichstag had to ratify the Enabling Act with a constitutional majority within three days. The Center Party had not expressed itself negatively. * * * The Enabling Act would have to be broadly conceived, in a manner to allow for any deviation from the clauses of the Constitution of the Reich. It would have to be redefined every 4 years. The Reich Minister for the Interior proposes approximately the following text :
"The Reich Cabinet will be empowered to take such measures, as deemed necessary for the needs of the People and the State. This will allow for deviations from the clauses of the Reich Constitution".
It is still under consideration whether an addition to the contents would be advisable, in which the validity of the Enabling Act would be subject to the Reich cabinet in its present form.
Now, according to the Reich Constitution, a two-thirds majority is required, therefore, a total of 432 delegates would have to be present for the ratification of the Enabling Act, if the communist vote were to be considered and one had to proceed on the basis of 647 elected Reichstag delegates. By subtracting the number of communist delegates, the result is 566. Then the presence of only 378 dëlegates would be required for the ratification of the Enabling Act. He (the Reich Minister for the Interior) deems it preferable not to annul the communist mandate. On the other hand, the prohibition of the KPD [German Communist Party] is indicated. Eventually, it might well be'neces-sary to commit to work-camps those persons who remain faithful to Communism.
Reich Minister Goering expressed his conviction that the Enabling Act would be ratified with the required two-thirds majority. Eventually, the majority could be obtained, by refusing admittance to a few Social Democrats. Conceivably, however, the So-, cial Democratic Party would abstain from voting for the Ena-£93256—46—43
669
2962-PS
biing Act. With respect to the election of the .Reichstag President, the Social Democratic party would certainly hand in blank ballots. * * *
The Reich Foreign Minister stressed likewise the necessity for a settlement of the flag question by the Reichstag. In addition, he asked if it were not advisable to make the Reichstag responsible for the conclusion of international agreements. Maybe it would be sufficient to submit to the Reichstag a list of the agreements for approval.
The Reich Minister for the Interior earnestly advised against this suggestion, because the Reichstag would get involved in endless discussion over the contents of the agreements.
The Reich Minister for Economics and Reich Minister for Food and Agriculture asked whether the collaboration of the Reich president was anticipated in preparing laws which, as a result of the Enabling Act, would be promulgated by the Reich government.
State Secretary Dr. Meissner answered that the collaboration of the Reich president was not necessary. The -Reich president would not demand to collaborate. Nevertheless it would be advisable, in the case of some laws, of special importance, to include the authority of the Reich president.
In addition, State Secretary Dr. Meissner pointed out that .there remained difficulties to be overcome in the Reich council in order to ratify the Enabling Act.
The Reich Chancellor explained that he felt confident that the present difficulties in the Reich council would be overcome.