3 February 1933: ‘I have been represented as having made bloodthirsty and firebrand speeches against foreign countries, and now the world is surprised at my moderation’

BERLIN, THURSDAY

“I only ask for four years; after that the nation can do what it will with me – crucify me if it likes,” said Hitler during an interview which he gave this afternoon to a small group of British and American journalists. There was no middle course left for Germany, he said. Either the Bolshevik standard would fly over Germany or she would recover herself.



Appealing for no premature judgment of the press of the world on his Government, he asked that its deeds should be awaited.



“I have been represented as having made bloodthirsty and firebrand speeches against foreign countries, and now the world is surprised at my moderation,” he went on. “I never delivered firebrand speeches against foreign countries – even my speeches of ten years ago can testify to that. Anyone like myself who knows what war is is aware of what a squandering of effort or rather consumption of strength is involved.”



Facebook Twitter Pinterest Crowded ranks in the Olympic stadium during a victory ceremony, August 1936, Berlin.

Photograph: Ullstein/Ullstein bild via Getty Images

As to a possible further war, the result could only be conjectured, and therefore nobody wanted peace and tranquillity more than himself and Germany.



“But like all other nations we insist upon equality and our proper place in the world, just as much as the Englishman insists upon the same thing for his country.”



Asked whether there was any special significance in fixing four years for the Government plan the Chancellor pointed out that it coincided with the four years’ period of the Reichstag session.



Referring to his broadcast statement yesterday, Herr Hitler said that if he had wanted to make an electoral campaign speech he could have promised that by March 15 unemployment would cease and that by May 1 agriculture would be back on its feet. “In this I am more honest than most of my political opponents,” he remarked. He concluded the interview by saying: “I am tenacious and have strong nerves. If I had not I would not be standing where I am.”

