President's Cabinet Meeting
Georg had been right; the President called the cabinet meeting to order only minutes after everyone arrived. They all noticed the man sitting by the President.
"Gentlemen, I'd like to introduce Ed Murray. He's a correspondent who has spent a lot of time in Germany since the end of the Great War."
"Good morning gentlemen. What I have to tell you will hopefully give all of you a better idea of what is to come. First let me tell Captain von Trapp a piece of news.
Georg raised his hand. "That's me sir."
"I know about your escape. The local priest saw to it that all the clothes left behind were given to the orphanage; the cows and hens were taken to the Abbey. Your villa is now occupied by Austrians loyal to Hitler; specifically a man named Zeller and a Baroness Schraeder. It's now where most correspondents like me hang out. As you well know, it's only a short walk across the border with Germany. Everyday a member of Hitler's inner circle comes to the villa to report on Hitler's plans. They willingly speak to us.
"I have also read Hitler's book Mein Kampf. A book he wrote while in prison; serving a five year sentence for treason. It helps me believe all that is happening to the people of Germany is true.
"Captain, I know you read German; I have a copy to leave with you. I'm sure you will share all that you learn with the other members of the Cabinet."
"Thank you and I will share all I learn with everyone. I must tell you I'm not surprised Zeller and the Baroness are living in my villa. You see my eldest daughter heard Elsa on the telephone at three in the morning; she heard a conversation between Elsa and Zeller. It served as my warning to get out of Austria as soon as I could.
"I brought everyone who lived at the villa with me; I wanted no one left behind to use as bait for me."
"That was your military mind at work. I'll be returning to Germany and will continue to report on Hitler's future plans."
Mister Murray left the room and President Roosevelt spoke. "Men, his news is foreboding. Georg please plan on giving us a synopsis of Hitler's book as soon as you finish reading it."
"I will sir."
With the Cabinet meeting over Georg left for his office where he began to read Mein Kampf. He found the book difficult to read because of Hitler's writing style. But one thing stood out; Hitler hated Jewish people. Georg read about the extent of this hatred.
According to Hitler, there is a clear racial hierarchy in which some races are superior to others. At the top of this hierarchy is the Aryan, a person of Germanic origin with blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. The Aryan is both physically and intellectually superior to all other races, and is the source of all important art, culture, and technology. Inferior races in the hierarchy include the east European Slavic peoples, including Czechs, Russians, Poles, and Jews.
Georg drew one conclusion about this book. Its major themes of racism, anti-Semitism, militarism and German nationalism were the core philosophies of Hitler. It didn't occur to him that these philosophies would lead to a fascist state and to the genocide of millions of Jewish people.
Georg would share this at the next cabinet meeting but with no one else. He mainly wanted to shield Maria; he knew worry wasn't good for her. But he wasn't prepared for Friedrich's comment a few days later.
"Dad, Liesl and I learned a new word today during our discussion of current events. It was fascism. It's defined as a type of government led by a dictator who thinks he's god. Our teacher told us that man Adolph Hitler is a fascist. Did you know this?"
"Yes, I learned about him recently. Our President knows too. And so do all the members of the cabinet. The knowledge weighs heavily on all our minds. Maria, lead us in reciting the Bible verse."
"Certainly, our minds need to be calmed. Please say it with me. Together everyone recited the verse.
Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God. So you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the Devil. Amen.
Quietly everyone left for their bedroom. Maria asked Georg. "Do you know more that what you told us?"
"I do. I didn't want to upset you. I will tell you this. The world will watch as Hitler gains control of most of Europe; some will give up without a fight."
"Georg, I know there have always been wars but I was praying for the Great War being the last."
"Everyone has been doing the same; but evil is difficult to overcome. Let's go to bed and let our closeness clear our minds."
It did. They slept fairly well.