ference that was to go down in history. He had returned to the
capital a few days before, brimming with dangerous ideas. Since
his return von Below had glimpsed him pacing the broad carpet
in the glass-fronted winter garden sunk in thought, or speaking
quietly with Rudolf Hess, or strolling up and down with Göring
sometimes for three hours or more.
Originally, the army had called for this conference on No-
vember to resolve the conflicting demands for steel allocations.
But Hitler had decided to bring home to the army’s recalcitrant
commander, Werner von Fritsch, that he had certain plans. As
he told Göring shortly before the others arrived, it was time to
“raise steam” in his generals.
After the others War Minister Field Marshal von Blom-
berg, Foreign Minister von Neurath, and Navy Commander
Admiral Erich Raeder had assembled in the winter garden,
Hitler motioned to a servant to draw the curtains across the glass
doors and began, reading from notes, to “set out his thoughts
on future strategic objectives” (as Blomberg dictated to one of
his officers, Colonel Alfred Jodl, afterward).
Colonel Friedrich Hossbach, Blomberg’s adjutant, shortly
wrote out in longhand a full summary of Hitler’s remarks.
“There is only one possible way of solving Germany’s problem,”
Hitler declared, “and that is to use force. There is no risk-free
way of solving it.” Nor could they afford to wait, he added, be-
cause in six years the balance of power would tilt against them
again. They were going to fight for Lebensraum but even be-
fore then he might order a lightning attack on Czechoslovakia if
circumstances were propitious.
Hitler’s speech met with a muted response. Göring’s only
recorded contribution was to suggest that they ought, therefore,
to wind up their operations in Spain now.
At : .. the little intermezzo was over. Göring hurried