December 14, 2017 13:04

Translation from Russian into English: December 15, 2017 19:08.

Владимир Владимирович Залесский 'Сказка о новых приключениях Гоголевского Носа'.

LXV. The Fairy Tale about monologue of Hindenburg

When to the person more than 80 years old, thoughts often go to the past.

Hindenburg was meditating. He was sitting in an office-room.

The career is, in many respects, a question of good luck.

When did he retire from a position of the commander of the Corps - who could suppose his (Hindenburg) future career? It seemed that the most active phase of his life is complete.

But, however, everything was developing in a different way. After some defeats of the German army in August, 1914 he is given high military post. Further, the successes followed.

Who could expect that the Russian army will carry out strategic retreat in 1915, "straightening of the front line", will leave Poland, many other territories?

On the one hand, it was the strategic military solution, correct for the Russian Empire.

On the other hand, being combined with many other historical circumstances, this retreat looked in the opinion of contemporaries absolutely in a different way, and became one of factors of overthrow of the Russian monarchy in 1917.

And his, - Hindenburg's, - political career after completion of World War I.

Many consider, that policy is a difficult business.

By and large, anything difficult.

First, his image of the participant of successful wars in the 19th century with France and Austria.

Secondly, his reputation of the participant of successful events on East front.

Thirdly, consecutive declaring of his commitment to a monarchist system in Germany.

All this has been successfully integrated and he - is the president of Germany.

In general, the German officers, the German nobility gradually lag behind life. Antediluvian principles, narrow views. They are going to the past.

New people come. They develop new concepts. New, unexpected, nonconventional decisions. Who could assume, guess political union, alliance which has been concluded for purposes of defeat of the Russian Imperial Army and of an exit of Imperial Russia from world war?

People were able to bargain, they were agreementable. Germany has made the magnificent peace, has received quite good payment - remuneration. And territories? Who has lost this victory? Who has missed this money? Who has lost these territories?!

Europe, of course, during war was similar to a slaughter, the meat grinder.

Recently he, Hindenburg, has received a greeting card from Francisco Franco. Young vigorous Spanish officer.

They, Spaniards, hope to be fenced off by their Pyrenees again? Again be out off the meat grinder?

What destiny waits for this Franco and his king? Certainly, no any outstanding prospects. Usual "normal", safe life. - If no new circumstances will arise.

It is necessary to study new views, to absorb new trends.

The thought from Spain has passed to France. Unexpectedly weak hand has struck powerful punch to a table. It he, this French captain, this Daladier ... These, - are such as he! Slippery people with Talleyrand's traditions! From them - all problems!

Fingers of a fist were clenching and unclenching.

They - with the political salons!... With a variety shows!

Nevertheless well we showed our military art in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 years!

Hindenburg at memories about 1870-71 years has calmed a little. The mood has improved.

His gaze focused on the portrait of the German Emperor.

Certainly, the Emperor waits abroad when his (Hindenburg's) political messages to the German people will turn into actions and results. When he, the president, restore the monarchy.

The mood has again gone down.

What means: to restore the monarchy? It means to conduct political work with parties, hard work and, generally, unpleasant. It means to make the pro-monarchic government. It means to convoke the new Constituent Assembly. How many efforts were with Constituent Assembly which already worked in past?

Of course, on the one hand, the German people wait. If not all people, then - many. Not accidentally he, Hindenburg, became a president. But on the other hand, whether the people don't support those who sit in a reception-room, these new, vigorous, filled with the new ideas, the agreementable people?

He don't want to be like the German nobility and the German officer's community of the old traditions?

Inert people! Those, who has lost understanding of reality.

Some of them even announced the idea, relying on the army, invite the Emperor to Germany, and without any democratic procedures to restore Emperor's power?!

Such way will obviously lead to the new internal conflicts, to the new victims. Lawful constitutional - democratic! - ways are necessary.

Hindenburg has sighed. He have remembered the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, advance of army to the East, good payment - remuneration in favor of Germany. Feeling of a victory. Admiration of the people.

Let this French captain prepare! This Daladier!

To you, the young and perspective Francisco Franco, the place among nice commanders will be found.

You will not be able to exercise, to play sports under your orange trees, not knowing the smell of the Central European meat grinders!

The usage will be found for the German officers and the German nobility too! You will not dance waltzes on the imperial holidays. These Austrian manners of Metternich need to be forgotten.

It is clear, that the Emperor - if returns to Germany - will be calm and peaceful.

The new ideas are necessary! New, unexpected, nonconventional decisions! And they are existing! And we will renew our glory, glory of victories on East front!

Hindenburg has collected the strength, has got up, has approached a wall, has removed the Emperor's portrait. He have found for a portrait the place between a wall and one of book-cases.

He have pressed the call button. The secretary has come.