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expremists and militarists on behalf of the existing
 
regime.
 
 
You have, therefore, a unique triumvirate. Hitler,
 
less educated, more romantic, with semi-criminal record;
 
Goebbels and Goering, both Doctors of Philosophy, both 
 
animated by intense class and foreign hatreds and both 
 
willing to resort to most ruthless arbitrary methods. Each 
 
of the three has a body of support necessary for the main-
 
tenance of the present regime. They do not love each other,
 
but in order to maintain their power, they have to sit down 
 
together. I do not think there has ever been in modern 
 
history such a unique group. There was such a group in 
 
ancient Rome, and you probably recall what happened. You 
 
may see, therefore, something of the problem you have to 
 
deal with, and also some of the reasons why a man of my 
 
background might be doubtful of any early success
 
 
Sincerely yours,
 
 
William E. Dodd