THE STATE VISIT
Members of the Liberty League Party prepare to greet the German and Italian leaders in Washington, DC, (July 4, 1934)
July 4, 1934, the first anniversary of the Liberty League's coup d'etat, had arrived. Unemployment had dropped from almost 25 percent to a mere 5 percent. Money from the NAPS poured in and veterans had their long-sought and hard-won bonuses finally in hand. Farming began to recover, and what dust bowl damage was still ongoing was made up for by the satellite nations of the NAPS and their lucrative equator plantations. The economy was absolutely booming. However, there was no constitutional law of any sort, many dissidents were rounded up and thrown in jail, and some political enemies of the League would vanish overnight. There were occasional terrorist attacks by anarchists, Marxists, and people loyal to FDR, but for the most part the nation was at peace and thriving under Black Jack's jackboot.
As the Fourth of July festivities were being planned, with the spotlight on a massive military parade with units from all over the Protective Sphere, the Reich Chancellery informed Secretary Pershing and President Garner it wished to "celebrate our cordial relationship and brotherhood and conduct a good-will tour of the United States", starting in Washington. Pershing was keen on the idea and, since he had only spoken a brief handful times over the phone with Hitler, wished very, very much to meet the "fascinating man."
Late in the evening of July 3, Hitler, Mussolini, and their officers and entourage stepped off their plane (a new model Mussolini had bought from Howard Hughes), and were welcomed with jubilation from hundreds of onlookers. Secretary Pershing, President Garner, Secretary Lindbergh, and General Patton waited at the bottom of the ramp and quickly introduced themselves. A motorcade then picked them all up and took them to the Bayfort Hotel, one of the nicest hotels in the United States. Security guards swarmed the entire capital and watched like hawks for any possible threats, but the day was mostly peaceful. The next day, the European dictators were to join the US leadership on the White House portico for a massive parade and then a state dinner.
In the meantime, Secretary Lindbergh met with Joseph Goebbels, the Reich Minister of Propaganda, and the two began a longtime friendship. It was there, however, that an... unfortunate idea... would be placed in Lindbergh's head by his new friend.
"Very beautiful city you have here,
Herr Lindbergh," said Goebbels politely as they enjoyed dinner with their wives and staff at one of the nicest restaurants in Washington. Lindbergh was an absolute sellout to German culture had always been part of the "America First" crowd that wanted the US to let Germany rebuild. He even was emulating Goebbles by wearing his Medal of Honor around his neck, much like Goebbel's Iron Cross.
Lindbergh smiled and raised a toast, "To America!
Und Deutschland!"
"SIEG HEIL!" shouted all the German staff merrily. Hesitantly, the American staff also joined in the cheer, but had trouble pronouncing it correctly.
Linbergh stood up and waved his arm at his men, "C'mon, boys, it ain't hard to do it right.
Sieg. Heil."
The American officers looked at each other and stood up from their seats, outstretched their arms.
"SIEG!" screamed Lindbergh happily, raising his right arm in the air.
"HEIL! SIEG HEIL!" spat the officers in their still-heavily-American accents. Everyone sat down and laughed and went back to their meals.
"So," said Goebbels, lighting a cigarette, "How do you maintain order here? In Germany last year we reformed ours as the SS, SD, and the Gestapo. I'm sure you've heard of them. Surely, you also have some manner of dealing with degenerates and criminals against the state,
ja? But I have not had the pleasure of hearing yours. I imagine you would also need them to police the Protective Sphere."
Lindbergh was a tad embarrassed and sat down his fork and wiped his mouth a napkin before reluctantly answering, "
Nein. At the moment we have the police and the National Guard who sometimes breakup conspiracies and terrorists, but other than that there is not quite the infrastructure for such a paramilitary unit. That is an excellent idea though. I shall bring it before Secretary Pershing."
Goebbels was stunned, "Ooh, yes! Yes! You most certainly should! A proper modern nationalist state such as yours needs something like the SS. If you like, I could send you one or two of my officers, perhaps. On lease! It wouldn't be the first time a German officer came to your aid, if you remember your Revolutionary War correctly!"
Lindbergh's mind started racing with excitement, "By golly, that sounds like a plan to me! I shall discuss this with Pershing tomorrow and get right back to you!"
Hitler (in black suit) ascending the steps at the newly remodeled US Capitol Building to speak before members of the US Armed Forces (evening of July 4, 1934)
Washington Stadium, the same place Pershing had launched the Second Revolution from, waiting for Hitler and Mussolini to address the crowds, July 5, 1934
Reinhard Heydrich speaks to members of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan in New Orleans, Mississippi (it was from the KKK that many of the SSL recruits would be selected) July 10, 1934
Members of the Liberty League march through NYC upon Hitler's arrival there (July 8, 1934)
Hitler dedicating the German-American Bund's Horst Wessel monument in Central Park, NYC
The Independence Day festivities were huge, and as the American and visiting leadership stood on the portico of the White House, they were joined by the various leaders of the Central American nations with the Sphere as their nations' troops paraded by.
Pershing looked out over the sea of people and could see unit after unit marching for miles. He turned to Hitler and said, "You Europeans always put on a grand show, but we're still learning. But we're getting pretty damn good at this if I do say so myself."
Hitler nodded and patted his shoulder, "
Ja! Very well. It is a proud sight."
An announcer blared overhead on the speakers, "And all the way from Fort Bliss in President Garner's home state of Texas, please welcome the famed 7th Cavalry!" Thousands of men in parade uniforms atop the finest stallions trotted past, "Garryowen" playing on the bagpipes, giving a salute to the American leadership and an outstretched arm to the Europeans.
Mussolini leaned over from Pershing's other side and said, "Too bad Custer isn't here, eh? Imagine if he lived to the days of tanks!" surprising Pershing with his knowledge. He hadn't expected such an oily, obtuse man to be of much knowledge on American history. Unbeknownst to Pershing, however, was his advisor was feeding him lines to butter Pershing up. It worked.
The announcer continued, "And from one of our allies in the North American Protection Sphere, please welcome members of the Nicaraguan Defense Force!" Almost 1500 Nicaraguan soldiers in parade uniforms marched by. President Juan Bautista Sacasa ascended the White House steps with his entourage to greet the other leaders.
Pershing pumped his hand with vigor and introduced him to the German Chancellor and Italian
Duche. After some formal moments, the Secretary said to Hitler, "Thanks to Mr. Sacasa's help, we finally hunted down and killed Augusto Sandino, a violent revolutionary terrorist. Together, we have brought peace to the region!"
Sacasa couldn't stand anyone currently talking to him, but his mask was still on, "Thank you, Mr. Secretary. It is Nicaragua's honor and privilege to receive US military assistance to keep our country a nation of laws and order." He knew disrespect at this moment would be a death sentence.
The parade was over, and all the leaders retired to the main dining hall. It was supremely gorgeous, and had just been renovated earlier in the year. The finest foods were served and the Americans proved they were going all out by remembering to ship in a bottle of Hitler's favorite brandy. As the leaders discussed matters over the brandy, Lindbergh and Goebbels put forward their idea. Lindbergh would indeed get Pershing's approval and would indeed meet again with Goebbels the next day. It was agreed that later that year SS-Sturmbanfuhrer Reinhard Heydrich would cross the Atlantic and spend several months training an "elite national police force." This group would eventually become the "Second Sons of Liberty (SSL), Vanguards of the Second Revolution." Lindbergh would step down from his post at the Department of Foreign Affairs to run the SSL. Heydrich, present for the dinner, was intrigued by the idea and he excused himself to plan his strategy. He left July 2 to tour the country on his own. He ended up picking most of the SSL's recruitment list from members of the Knight of the Ku Klux Klan.
While some minor policy making was attempted, the visit was mostly just a friendly one. The countries were friends, but not allies. However, with the signing of the Franco-Polish Entente a year later, that was all about to change...
He might have just been going off on his own bender. It's not a one off thing and he'll be returning. lol
