ing, Centrist leader, and Dr. Alfred Hugenberg, the Nationalist Party head, neither of whom is friendly toward the Nazis.
President von Hindenburg’s conditions place Hitler in a dilemma. If he accepts the commission and is unable to form a cabinet, his prestige sinks. If he refuses, he loses his chance to become Chancellor.
A government communique issued in connection with the commission states that a reply is expected from Hitler today and points out: “Herr Hitler was commissioned in the capacity of leader of the largest party in the Reichstag after he had declared most emphatically to the President of the Reich that his party would co-operate only in a government led by himself.”
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.