victory and triumph of July 1, 1936, and all that has led up to that moment, and which marks it as a place of new beginning.” He was proud of the civic beautification projects begun in Ottawa. There was also the success his minister of labour had achieved in closing the relief camps after finding work for the unemployed men with the railway. And importantly, there was the work that he had accomplished in Geneva at the League of Nations to encourage cautious peace at a time when Ethiopia, the Rhineland, and Spain were feeling the effects of war.
The Official Residence
Berlin, Germany
June 29, 1937
Hitler was speaking. The prime minister of Canada, waiting for the translation, watched his face with fascination. His face is much more prepossessing than his pictures would give the impression of, he noted. It is not that of a fiery, over-strained nature, hut of a calm, passive man deeply and thoughtfully in earnest. His skin is smooth; his face does not present lines of fatigue or weariness.
Hitler rested his hands on his lap, his eyes fixed on King. Those eyes, King decided, are what is most impressive. There’s a liquid quality about them which indicates keen perception and profound sympathy.
Hitler was explaining to King how he spent most of his time at his country home. “I need quiet and nature to help me think out the problems of my country.”
“Very wise,” King agreed.
When King was in London at the Imperial Conference and the Coronation of King George VI earlier in the spring, he had been approached by Ribbentrop, the German ambassador. The Canadian prime minister had seized the opportunity for an interview. As senior statesman in the Commonwealth, he wanted to communicate to Hitler that the British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, understood that Germany had an interest in some economic expansion in Eastern Europe. King also hoped to convince Hitler of the necessity of continuing peace.
The Canadian outlook, King told the German leader, would be decided by the Canadian Parliament. “Canada is as free and independent a country as Germany itself, but we feel our freedom is secured in a large part by our being a part of the British Empire.” King emphasized “that if that peace is threatened by an aggressive act of any kind on the part of any county, there is little doubt that all parts will resent it.”
When the interview concluded, Hitler took in his hands a red square box with a gold eagle on its cover. “Take this,” the translator told King, “in appreciation of your visit to Germany.”
King opened the box. Inside was a signed picture of Hitler in a beautiful silver frame. Hitler is such a nice, sweet man, he thought. He has many fine qualities, such as devotion to his mother and the ability to rise from limited opportunities through self-education. King felt sure Hitler was deeply mystical, following his star of destiny as he pursued his goal of freeing his country from tyranny. I cannot, King reminded himself, abide Nazism – the regimentation – the cruelty – the oppression of Jews, but, he prophesied mentally, Hitler, the peasant, will rank some day with Joan of Arc among the deliverers of his people.
“Thank you for the gift,” King said to his host “and for the privilege of the interview. I strongly agree with seeking to do greater good for those in humble walks of life and would like to speak more with you about the constructive side of your work. I wish you well with your efforts to help mankind.”
Hitler returned to the pressing matters of his dictatorship, while King was free to enjoy being a tourist. He was to meet with members of the youth movement and later go to the opera. But now, he wandered to the far side of the Tiergarten, until he was at the house where he had lived for one season as a student thirty-seven years ago.
The birds sang in the trees overhead, rejoicing, King thought. This is why I was born in Berlin, over sixty years ago in 1874. So that today I could deliver an important message of peace.
Addressing the Canadian troops in Britain, 1941. General McNaughton stands by.
7
Holding the Pillars Together
The Gazette, Montreal, March 21, 1939
Canada at War if U.K. Attacked:
Premier King
At Ottawa members of all parties joined in an attack on German policies. Prime Minister King, defining the Government’s attitude toward the Empire in time of war, declared the Dominion would consider it an act of aggression on the whole Commonwealth if Britain were to be attacked.
Packed galleries and a largely attended House listened to a carefully prepared statement from the Prime Minister who declared that any act of aggression against Britain would bring prompt and determined action from the Dominion; that while this was a time for preparedness it was also a time when every avenue of conciliation should be explored.
The Gazette, Montreal, March 23, 1939
Spirits Advise Medium in Verdun The World
Faces Seven Years Woe
Unless “Lord Kitchener and a man named Gladstone” were blowing sour notes on their spirit trumpets last night the world is scheduled for momentous changes during the next seven years, according to prophecies voiced “through” the Rev. Mary Ellen Goodling, pastor of the Holy Trinity Temple of Light, East Preston Street, Baltimore, Md. at a meeting of the congregation of the Verdun Progressive Spiritualist Church.
Madame Goodling predicted: The return of Edward VIII to the throne he abdicated; the permanent residence of the King and Queen in Canada, which would become the centre of the Empire; “seven more years of Hitler”; and the break up of the British Empire as it is known today.
Her plump figure draped in a flowing gown, her round face hidden by a veil, a gold cross hanging on a chain from her neck, the “prophetess” presented a living picture of the “White Sister” as she began her forecasts at the beginning of a period given over to “messages.”
As though in a trance and speaking in a quick, smooth, lulling voice, Mrs. Goodling told the gathering that she was “moved by some force” to proclaim the prophecies.
Royal York Hotel, Toronto
August 8, 1939
King leafed through the banquet program.
Complimentary Banquet
Tendered to
Rt. Hon. Mackenzie King
By the Liberal Party of Canada
On the Completion of Twenty Years of Continuous
Leadership
1919-1939
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