(See front cover)
Down the Wilhelmstrasse, into the German Chancellery went bristle-lipped Adolf Hitler last week. He was led into the former office of the late great Bismarck. Seated at the Iron Chancellor's old desk, his soft white hands folded before him, sat aged President Paul von Hindenburg. Near him stood smooth, grey Chancellor Franz von Papen and the State Secretary of the Reich, Dr. Otto Meissner.
"Herr Hitler," said Old Paul gravely, "are you willing that you or some other qualified persons of the National Socialist movement should enter a government headed by the present Chancellor?"
"Excellent," answered handsome Adolf, "I am not willing, nor are my associates. We wish on the contrary to request the President to entrust us with leadership of the government of the Reich and with the entire state apparatus in full measure."
"And what power exactly do you imply in that request?"
"Precisely the same power that Mussolini exercised after the march on Rome!"
President von Hindenburg hoisted his old frame half out of his chair: