Now-editorial Notes

Vice Chancellor von Papen, the special Minister to Austria, now reveals that President von Hindenburg had signed his commission as his last act, and sent him a note stating that the appointment was made in the hope that he may be successful in establishing “normal and cordial relations with the Austrian people who are related to us by descent.” And von Papen explains that he has accepted the post “in order to fill it in accordance with its meaning and spirit and because I know how much depends upon its realization for relieving the tension of Europe and because in this new position, too, I can serve my country.”

Von Papen concludes with the remark that von Hindenburg’s message to him was a testament to which nothing need be added. The only thing that von Papen did add in his public statement was “Heil Hitler!”

Von Papen has proved himself a past master in the art of acrobatic adaptability. During his stay in this country, before the United States had entered the war, von Papen engaged in indiscreet propaganda which caused President Wilson to demand his recall.

Von Papen was opposed to the Nazi movement, and yet it was he who persuaded old von Hindenburg to make Hitler Chancellor, thus turning Germany over to the nightmare rule of the Nazis. Suddenly von Papen mustered courage to deliver an address before the University of Marburg, in which he criticized some of the policies of the Hitler regime. It was regarded as a daring gesture. But even though Hindenburg sent him a telegram of praise, Hitler and Goebbels suppressed his speech.

Then came the Hitler blood bath—the butchery of hundreds of people—Nazi storm troop leaders and numerous innocent people—without even the semblance of a trial. Among those murdered during that bloody weekend was von Papen’s secretary, Jung, who was known as the ghost writer of the “courageous” von Papen address at Marburg. Von Papen and his wife were practically under arrest for several days.

But von Papen is a patriot. He swallowed his pride and remained loyal. He obediently takes his orders now from Hitler. And this man believes that the success of his new mission in Austria will relieve the tension of Europe.

The activities of von Papen in Austria will bear close watching. His is a record of skillful political acrobatics. His type of diplomacy knows neither scruples nor self-respect. His mission in Austria may result in serious consequences.