“And a couple of hundred thousand rootless internationalists—‘Jews!’—want to set nations of millions at one another’s throats. I want only peace…You should say yes for your own sake. Etc., in no proper order, impassioned; every sentence mendacious, but I almost believe: unconsciously mendacious. The man is a blinkered fanatic.”
Victor Klemperer, I Will Bear Witness: A Diary of the Nazi Years, November 11, 1933
“Political situation bleak. The only comfort or hope is when the tyranny manifests itself ever more wildly, i.e., ever more uncertain of itself…A sound film recording of Hitler, a few sentences in front of a big meeting—clenched fists, twisted face, wild bawling—’on January 30 they were still laughing at me, they won’t be laughing anymore…’ It seems that perhaps for the moment he is all-powerful—but the voice and gestures expressed impotent rage. Doubts of his omnipotence?”
Victor Klemperer, I Will Bear Witness: A Diary of the Nazi Years, July 20, 1933
“The fate of the Hitler movement will undoubtedly be decided by the Jewish business. I do not understand why they have made this point of their program so central. It will sink them. But we will probably go down with them.”
Victor Klemperer, I Will Bear Witness: A Diary of the Nazi Years, April 25, 1933
“Late in the afternoon Messersmith and directors of the United States Lines came to report the foolish order of German-American lines, supported by the government, to the effect that nobody leaving Germany might by tickets for any transportation costing more than 200 marks, i.e., on any but German ships…In a few days the German Government announced abandonment of their policy and gave a lame excuse. It is another illustration of Nazi clumsiness in international affairs.”
William E. Dodd, United States Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Dodd’s Diaries, August 12, 1933
“The newspapers tell nothing except by indirect suggestion. They are all under government control.”
William E. Dodd, United States Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Dodd’s Diaries, August 1, 1933
“The extent of opposition to his policies is difficult to assess, since freedom of expression was one of the constitutional guarantees suspended…Under the state of siege, too, press censorship prohibits the dissemination of news that ‘may cause confusion’ or reporting anything about the civil war except what the Government says…Describing General Rios Montt as ‘fanatic’ and ‘messianic,’ a business leader nonetheless said businessmen were generally happy with the situation. He said restrictions on meetings had not been applied to business groups….’He is absolutely honest,’ a physician said of the Guatemalan leader. This judgment is often expressed here.”
Raymond Bonner, The New York Times, July 14, 1982, page 1
“A mean frown cut across the brow of Mussolini when some one called the Fascisti movement reactionary. ‘That’s idiotic,’ the premier said. ‘Had I been reactionary, I should have established a dictatorship. I could easily have done so. Where is there a reactionary movement which reconvenes the Chamber and asks parliament to endorse the administration of affairs in the country?”
The Charlotte News, November 11, 1922, page 9
“In the political realm it will be impossible for the new Chancellor to make good the madly demagogic program that succeeded in attracting the support of the German people. But it is certain that if Hitler would remain in power he must bring something to the millions of Germans who have put their faith in him, or else in his turn confess his inability and resign himself to failure.”
The New York Times, February 1, 1933, page 10
