Berlin W 9, Lennestrasse. 9.
14th July 1934.
Dear Chancellor,
After you, last night, gave the nation and the world your great account of the internal developments which led up to the 30th of June, I feel the need to shake your hand as I did on 30th January 1933, and to thank you for all you have given anew to the German nation by crushing the intended second revolution and by announcing irrevocable and statesmanly principles.
Painful and tragic circumstances have prevented me, for the first time since the 30th January, from appearing at your side. You yourself excused me and showed understanding for the fact that a Vice-Chancellor cannot take his seat on the ministerial bench as long as he finds himself subjected to special treatment. (My confiscated files have still not been returned to me, in spite of Goering's and your own orders.)
Your statements have clearly shown that any suspicion of a connection between my person and the treasonable goings-on was an intentional libel and calumniation. I thank you for stating this.
But I am still helpless against other people continuing to make out that there is an antagonism between us and against people considering and explaining every expression of sympathy towards me as being directed against the person of the Fuehrer. I am also defenseless against again being suspected of new conspiracies if I am seen in the company of old Conservative friends, however unobjectionable their attitude may be towards you and the new Germany.
The attempts to make my position impossible are being continued. I enclose an English letter from an obviously anonymous criminal, who is already attempting to represent me as being in league with attempts to murder Goering or Goebbels. Please pass this letter on to the Gestapo. ,
I should therefore be grateful if you could on some occasion point out positively-that, up to today, I have loyally stood by and fought for yourself, your leadership and your work for Germany.
I request you to agree to my commencing a holiday immediately to last until I am recalled from my post. Before this, however, I must already today discuss with you the settling of the Saar problem and therefore request a short interview.
In unaltered loyalty, .
Yours,
Papen.
Letter to Hitler, on continued efforts to portray Papen as conspiring against the government, asking Hitler to publicly confirm his loyalty and stating he will be on "holiday" until his situation is resolved
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: 14 July 1934
Defendant: Franz Papen, von
Total Pages: 1
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-718
Citation: IMT (page 11894)
HLSL Item No.: 453555