A. Greiser's speech: as the National Socialist Party had the majority the State should be governed in a National Socialist way, appealed for a comradely attitude towards the SS and SA.
S. Lester wanted to be confirmed that A. Greiser's speech as reported in the "Danziger Neueste Nachrichten" was correct.
S. Lester wanted to know on what grounds the "Danziger Volkstimme", the newspaper organ of the Danzig Social Democratic Party, was suppressed by order of the President of Police.
Incidents (violence and complaints) during the partial local elections in Danzig; Boettcher: new police order issued by the Senate providing reinforcements of the central police force in Danzig; Boettcher requested the suppression of the "Volkstimme", because of its headline "SA hinders election freedom" accusing, according to him, the Government (SA and Government same thing); Police's position further to A. Greiser's and A. Forster's speeches: the police had not only to be loyal to the State but also to have a "positive attitude" towards the National Socialist Party; Government's position: ideas and ideals dominating the Government Party were anti-constitutional and there existed a pressure on the Senate by people like A. Forster; "Volkstimme" suppressed on the Police President's grounds that the State administration was accused of being connected with the alleged hinderance of the Social Democratic election campaign; complains from Zentrum and Deutschnational Party: requested representatives of the Opposition Parties to be present at the voting and counting of votes; A. Forster denied the truth of the complaints against his Party; K. Papée on the conduct of foreign affairs (Poland and Danzig) in a temporary troubled situation in Danzig; Boettcher agreed that the election campaign had to be carried on without further outbreaks of violence; S. Lester's view: no case for receiving a petition declaring the elections invalid; S. Lester's questions to be placed on the agenda of the special Council meeting: suppression of the newspaper and the petition of the Catholic clergy.
S. Lester on A. Greiser's Constitution assurances: a National Socialist State could not be set up unless the Constitution were to be regarded as a farce; Boettcher: it seemed "treason" that German Danzigers appealed against their own Government to outside authorities; for S. Lester it was rather silly not to appeal to the League of Nations, not a foreign institution but an international one and that a German Danziger be expected to prefer the use of international right to the suppression of his Party; philosophy of National Socialism: all opposition parties should disappear; if Volkstag election probably union of all the opposition parties.
Elections: majority to the National Socialists, but elections in areas favourable to National Socialism; "Volkstimme": the Senate refused to supply S. Lester with full information regarding the suppression of the newspaper; S. Lester's view: the decision to suppress the newspaper was obviously a political one, Senate's letter entirely different from the talk S. Lester had with Boettcher, further to S. Lester's threat to put the question before the special Council meeting for consideration (see S. Lester's enclosed letter of 17 November 1934); letter from A. Greiser, Acting President of the Senate, giving details on "Volkstimme" suppression.
Boettcher reported to S. Lester the conversation he had with A. Greiser: trouble between H. Rauschning and A. Greiser had nothing to do with the so-called five points, question of the "Kulturkammer", A. Greiser's personality, Danzig Constitution, Catholic Priests' petition regarding the Catholic Youth organization, election results.
H. Rauschning resigned; election by the Senate of a new president, without doubt A. Greiser; H. Rauschning's letter of 19th instant explaining he himself never spoke of ill-health and was ready to return to his post, on the understanding he would pursue his policy and the Party would declare itself in accord with his policy, and if this were not possible he would retire, he explained his divergences with A. Forster with regard to economic and financial situation in Danzig, and the conduct of internal affairs, he thought the League of Nations was the only force able to safeguard the independence of Danzig; the same day the Senate sent an "ultimatum" to H. Rauschning, the following day the National Socialist fraction of the Volkstag passed a vote of lack of confidence and called upon H. Rauschning to resign immediately, H. Rauschning made a declaration on his retirement published in the newspaper; S. Lester's view: Danzig had thrown over its best statesman.
Regarding A. Greiser's election on 28 November; the Opposition; H. Rauschning's promise to Jews; A. Forster's and A. Greiser's speeches; Brost and Hirschfeld.