- 2 -                            
 
 
 
 From what information I can get, there is a rising doubt here as to
Hitler's success in his Italian, Japanese, Spanish procedure. High army
generals were positively opposed to the recognition of Franco, and
rumors circulate that Hitler fears now that he will not succeed this
time as on former occasions-since December 1935. I enclose a news
clipping which shows how Party chiefs are preaching to the people the
Fuhrer's status with God Almighty. This Gross speech is the third of
its kind, i.e., Gross is the third Party man of high position who talks
this way to teachers, writers and church people. It is the method of
rallying simple souls to the idea that Hitler must always succeed.
 
 
 There is no doubt that democratic countries in Europe would welcome a
call for a world conference. Their representatives here stress this
matter every time I see them-always confidential. What Hitler will say
no one can say, certainly not Foreign Office officials. But if the
Fascists do not conquer Spain, I am convinced there will be a silent
popular demand here for international cooperation. Decided success of
Mussolini in dominating Spain would not greatly please Hitler unless he
could take what he plans to take from the Danube and Polish zones. No
one can say what is the Fuhrer's plan at the present moment. He is here
every day now conferring with Party people who have been preaching such
sermons as are revealed in the enclosed clipping. England is engaged in
a quarrel about the King's marriage; France is divided sharply as to
her policy; Russia is proclaiming her solid front against anybody that
starts a war in the Balkan or Baltic areas; and all the smaller
democracies are hopeless. It is my feeling that Hitler is simply
waiting for his best opportunity to seize what he wants.
(15) Schacht