Letter 21

26th March 1933

This time I write no address, no names, no nothing. But as a matter of fact my last letter was foolishly indiscreet.

Would you believe the usual conductor in the Staatsover (t.d.) has significantly disappeared. Perhaps he is following in the footsteps of another very well-known conductor – also a member of an ancient race. If I were not so discreet I should be calling people names with some colour and spirit – the word “bloody” would probably occur more than once in combination with another. You might tell me if you do get a letter from me twice a week – because they have begun sniffing around – that I know for a fact. Also quite a lot of other facts, which will not spoil with being kept. I hope to goodness I don’t put it into your head that we run any risks. Life is just the same as ever it was. With this difference. I’ve had a peep behind the scenes.

Next day. Even dates might incriminate. – 26th I think – but as usual I’ve lost count.

We had a very amusing evening yesterday. We went to see “Viel Larm um Nichts” von Wilhelm Shakespeare in the Volksbuhne – and it was lovely. Greta Mossheim took the part of Beatrice, and she is a witch for charm. A lovely creature and an amazing actress, though I’ve met lots of people who disagree. Afterwards we- Ursula, Werner and I met Sophie and we all went to a café in Unter den Linde and drank iced coffee.

We walked back from Unter den Linden arguing savagely about National Socialism. Sophie and I are pacifists (though I’m a different sort from Sophie), Werner is a Social Democrat with a strong leaning further towards the left and Ursula is a Nazi. So we had a grand time. The words “Militarismus” and “Materialismus” and any other ‘ismuses took the field. But it’s a significant fact that you’ll find very few musicians who are Nazis. Just as we got home Werner and I bestrode our hobby horses and galloped off, so that we stood outside in the street jabbering; to the intense interest of a man about to go into the house. He stood listening till we moved away. It’s a good thing to beware of interested listeners!

I’m horribly depressed by the state f affairs in Germany. The atmosphere is awful. Do you suppose the Germans are afraid of France? Not they! They know in their hearts that there would be no point in anyone’s rising and crushing them again. The victorious country would gain nothing and lose much. Oh blind fools – and they are determined to re-arm.