Berlin, W 9, Lennestrasse. 9.
10th July 1934.
Dear Reich Chancellor,
Our agreement of the 4th July to the effect that I was to retain my position as Vice-Chancellor until September, and was then to be employed in the foreign service, was based between us on the following condition: The immediate and complete restoration of my authority and honor, so as to enable me to remain in the service of the Reich in whatever capacity.
To this end I submitted to you on the 5th July my proposals for an official statement, explaining why the arrest of several officials of my staff had taken place and how von Bose had lost his life and averring the nonparticipation of all the members of my staff in the SA revolt. This statement requested by me was only partially passed by you and published, in as much as the release and innocence of von Tschirschky, von Savigny, and of my private secretary, Miss Stotzingen, were announced. I wish to state that my own authority is by no means restored as a result of this published announcement for since the 30th June the press of the entire world has been discussing my arrest, the events in my office, the shooting of von Bose, etc., in ever changing versions. The "Times," for instance, says on the 7th July: "After the cabinet's vacation, von Papen will not return as Vice-Chancellor. The sudden evacuation of the Vice-Chancellory was ordered merely to enable a safe to be got at which it had been impossible to open on that Saturday on which the members of the staff were arrested and Herr von Bose shot." The "Times" also prints the official statement that was published about the release of the 3 above named persons, but adds: "The statement does not mention Herr von Bose who was shot in the office while these men were being arrested." Similar statements appear in a number of the big foreign newspapers, it also being claimed from time to time that Ministerial Director Klausener had also been a member of my office.
On Saturday, the 7th July, I discussed my position with Prime
Minister Goering, who ordered the Gestapo also to release immediately Hummelsheim, a member of my office staff and to return my still confiscated private files. This order has not been complied with as yet. Herr Goering agreed with my opinion that, unless my authority is restored at once, my remaining in the cabinet even temporarily is an impossibility. I told him I wanted to go to Neudeck to ask the Reich President to relieve me of my post immediately. The Prime Minister not only agreed with me, but encouraged me to go as soon as possible. To my immediate telephonic request to Secretary of State Meissner to make an appointment for me in Neudeck, the latter replied to me that the Reich President was very much in need of rest and that I should wait a few more days for my visit. In the meantime I got an acquaintance to enquire whether the Field Marshal's health is really too bad for him to receive me for a farewell audience.
Dear Reich Chancellor, the position in which I am is quite intolerable. Even if people in Germany generally do not yet know what treatment I and my officials received, obviously in connection with the crushing of the SA Revolt, very many people do nevertheless know about it and in particular it is known everywhere abroad, because of the fact that—of all the people—a large number of press representatives were present in my office during the event. It is quite impossible for me to go on pretending to the public that nothing happened as I have done up to now. Besides, no foreign government would like to have a representative of the German Reich accredited to it, of whom it knows that—with, or without the knowledge of the Reich Chancellor—he has received the above mentioned treatment.
I therefore ask you to give your guarantee to the Reich President's accepting my resignation immediately. And if you think it in the interests of Germany and your work, and perhaps too, in the interests of regaining the Saar, that I should be employed in the foreign service (I should have to discuss the conditions with you verbally), then the psychological prerequisites therefore would first have to be created.
Asking for a decision as soon as possible, I remain with the assurance of unaltered devotion to you.
Yours obediently,
Papen,
P.S. I am writing this letter because the Reich Chancellory informs me that you will be able to receive me today. P.
744400—47—61
937
Letter to Hitler, on remaining problems with the investigation of von Papen's staff and rumor's about his position, asking that his resignation as vice-chancellor be accepted, with the possibility of later work in the foreign service
Authors
Franz Papen, von (Vice-Chancellor; ambassador)
Franz von Papen
German general staff officer, politician, diplomat, nobleman and Chancellor of Germany (1879–1969)
- Born: 1879-10-29 (Werl)
- Died: 1969-05-02 (Sasbach)
- Country of citizenship: German Reich; Germany
- Occupation: diplomat; military personnel; politician
- Member of political party: Centre Party (until: 1932-01-01); Nazi Party
- Member of: Union-Klub
- Participant in: Hostages Trial (date: 1947-10-03; role: affiant)
- Significant person: Wilhelm List (role: acquaintance)
Date: 10 July 1934
Defendant: Franz Papen, von
Total Pages: 2
Language of Text: English
Source of Text: Nazi conspiracy and aggression (Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946.)
Evidence Code: D-715
Citation: IMT (page 11888)
HLSL Item No.: 453552
Notes:For the background, see document D 714. In the transcript, the exhibit number is mis-stated as 496; 498 is correct.