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...Restrictions on personal liberty, on the right of free expression of opinion, including freedom of the press; on the rights of assembly and association; and violations of the privacy of postal, telegraphic and telephonic communications; and warrants for house searchers, orders for confiscations as well as restrictions on property, are also permissible beyond the legal limits otherwise prescribed. The Reich government is authorized to assume complete power in the states when necessary and impose the death penalty for serious disturbances of the peace by armed persons. Halstead smiled at the capital “K” in the German word for “Communist” that stood out at the top of the page and that would incite an overriding fear of Bolshevik subversion in millions of Germans, a fear that would draw their attention away from his single-handed dismantling of their fledgling democracy. The Reichskanzler set the paper on the table before him, next to the breakfast that had been spread out for him by a Chancellery butler, and sipped the middle contents of his coffee cup as his mistress of the previous evening emerged from the bedchambers Halstead had moved into Tuesday evening. “Good morning, Fraulein,” Halstead said with a triumphant smile. “Start off with some coffee.” “No, mein Führer, if you don’t mind. The strikes are over, if you remember?” She continued with a shy smile and, “I must be getting to the office. Herr Frick expects promptness.” “Yes, of course.” Halstead stood in his robe and walked the young stenographer to the antechamber’s door. He held the door open for her and kissed her goodbye before noticing Göring approach from the far end of the hallway that led away from the Chancellor’s private quarters. Halstead stood with his hand on a doorknob as the Prussian Interior Minister neared and slapped a fist to his chest. “Good morning, Hermann. Come and have some coffee. And breakfast, if you like.” |