December 24, 1936
 
 
SUMMARY OF DESPATCH NO. 3165 FROM AMERICAN EMBASSY IN BERLIN
 
 
Subject:  National Socialist Foreign Policy
 
 
 Hitler's foreign policy should not have been a surprise to students of
"Mein Kampf";  the only exception being the present policy toward
France which may hew more to the line in the long run.
 On the basis of this policy progress or retrogression has appeared in
certain fields under Nazi regime.  Under the head of progress may be
listed the following:
 (1) The basis for a national socialist foreign policy was established
in a conscription announcement of March 17, 1935, reestablishing the
army and shaking off defeatism.  The one event prior to this date which
may be noted was the withdrawal of Germany's delegates from the League
of Nations on October 14, 1933.  Speaking from the standpoint of
furtherance of Germany's own aims, this event might be considered as a
gain for the new regime.
 (2) The Anglo-German Naval Agreement of June 18, 1935, gave Germany
control of the Baltic and amounted to a de facto recognition of
Germany's branch of Versailles Treaty.
 
 
(3)  Occupation