The President Elect

A Political Play by Bassett Kendall

ACT II

The next morning – about 10 o’clock.

(Bessing is busy opening the General’s letters. Enter Wiener.)

Wien. How’s the General this morning, Bessing?

Bess. He’s almost himself again, Major.

Wien. That’s good.

Bess. He complains of a headache, nothing more. I persuaded him to have his breakfast in bed.

Wien. Very wise.

Bess. He recovered consciousness about a quarter of an hour after you left.

Wien. Right, Bessing, I’ll carry on till he’s up.

Bess. What about Herr Schimmel?

Wien. I’ve put Meyer on to him for the moment. You needn’t wait, Bessing; the General may want you.

Bess. Very good, Major. (Exit Bess.)

(Wiener picks up telephone.)

Wien. 5071. Is that 5071? Can I speak to Dr. Lehmann? Oh, is that you, Lehmann? Wiener speaking. I must see you as soon as possible.

(von G. enters and Wien sees him.)

Wien. That’s all at present. Goodbye.

von G. Who were you talking to, Wiener?

Wien. I’m so glad to see you up, General. How are you feeling?

von G. I’m perfectly fit. Who were you talking to?

Wien. To Dr. Lehmann, sir. I rang up to tell him you were indisposed.

von G. Why should it interest Dr. Lehmann?

Wien. I thought he ought to know sir, in case he wanted to give any instructions about the police.

von G. I see. What have you done about Schimmel?

Wien. I instructed Meyer to carry on in my place. I thought in your absence, I ought to be here.

von G. Quite right. But as I’m here now, you can resume your duties.

Wien. Very good, sir. With Schimmel?

von G. No, Meyer may as well carry on there. You can return to your ordinary work in the office.

Wien. Thank you, sir. (Exit Wien.)

von G. (At telephone.) 7362 – I want to speak to the Chancellor – General von Götz. (Enter Bess.) What is it, Bessing?

Bess. The Crown Prince is here, General.

von G. Good. Where is he?

Bess. In the waiting-room.

von G. Very well. Show him up in one minute. I must finish this call. Is that you, Mr. Chancellor? (Signs to Bessing, who exit.) It is imperative that I should see you on very urgent business. Can you bring Baron von Hammerstein and Dr. Lehmann with you? Very well. I shall be free in under half an hour. Goodbye. (Rings off and rises.)

(Enter Bess. announcing.)

Bess. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. (Exit Bess.)

(Enter Otto. He is a tall, good-looking man of about 35.)

von G. It is good of you to come, Sir.

Otto. My mother told me you wanted to see me.

von G. No doubt she explained my suggestion.

Otto. Yes. I hardly see how I can agree to it.

von G. Have you considered the risk of staying at the Palace, Sir?

Otto. Certainly. But I couldn’t leave my mother in danger.

von G. There would be no danger to Her Majesty unless you were there, Sir. It would be very easy to circulate a rumour among the crowd that you had left the Palace.

Otto. Why not do so in any case?

von G. The servants at the Palace would know you were there, Sir. Any of them may have Nazi sympathies. It would be impossible to keep up such a fiction.

Otto. All the same my place is with my Mother. She will feel my Father’s death terribly.

von G. What is the news this morning, Sir?

Otto. The doctors say he can’t last through the day.

von G. May I express my sympathy, Sir.

Otto. Thank you.

von G. But if you will allow me, I must urge you again to reconsider your decision. And believe me, I am thinking of Her Majesty as much as of you. I told the Queen very little yesterday. I will explain my plan more fully. You are aware that the Nazis propose to hold a full parade in arms on the day following the announcement of His Majesty’s death. They will march to the Cathedral square, where you will be proclaimed King; they will demand your immediate abdication and will proclaim a Republic.

Otto. But –

von G. Forgive me one moment, Sir. Now our plan is to seize the arms at all the Nazi centres during the night. If this is successful, the parade will certainly not take place – the proclamation will pass off without incident – and you will have time to return to the palace to acknowledge the cheers of your loyal subjects.

Otto. But why not stay all the time at the Palace?

von G. Because, Sir, however well laid our plans may be, there is always a risk that they may miscarry. The period of danger, for you, is the interval that must elapse between the announcement of the King’s death and our raids on the Nazi centres. As soon as we have their arms, there would be nothing against your returning to the Palace. The worst that could happen would be a certain amount of wild hooliganism – stone throwing and the like. But my impression is that the Nazis will keep very quiet if their coup fails – and that the movement will be dead in our country for ever.

Otto. I still can’t reconcile myself to being here in comparative safety, while my mother is exposed to danger in the Palace.

von G. Her Majesty will really be in no danger. She is held in such respect – and, I may say, affection – even by your political enemies, that no harm could possibly come to her. It is you, Sir, not the Queen, whom they will try to seize.

Otto. The risk seems so slight that I shall remain at the Palace.

von G. And endanger Her Majesty?

Otto. She would rather that I stayed with her, if there is any danger.

von G. Do you think so, Sir? Wouldn’t she rather be certain that you were safe, both for your own sake and for the sake of the country?

Otto. Possibly – but I can’t begin my reign by running away – it would be an act of utter cowardice.

von G. There are occasions when prudence is better than useless courage. In urging you to take this course, I am thinking at least as much of our country as of your own person. Supposing that anything were to happen to you, Sir – who is the next heir to the throne? Your cousin Prince Karl is six years old; even if this crisis is weathered, the government of the country would pass into the hands of politicians. There would be no King worth considering.

Otto. That’s true.

von G. Then isn’t it your duty, Sir, to sink your personal feelings and keep yourself in comparative safety for the good of the country?

Otto. You are right, von Götz. I must be a coward for the sake of Keinland. (Rises.)

von G. I am delighted to hear you say that, Sir.

Otto. I ought to return to the Palace now. My father might miss me, if I remain here too long.

von G. Very well, Sir. But – when the end comes – can I depend on your returning here immediately?

Otto. I’ll come at once. Yes.

von G. Only one more thing, Sir. You are surrounded by political enemies. My advice is – trust no one – not even those who hold the highest office in the State.

Otto. Yet you are asking me to place myself under your own protection.

von G. I mean this seriously, Sir. I have evidence of treachery among your own Ministers.

Otto. That is a very serious charge, von Götz.

von G. And one which I should not make unless I had undoubted proof. You will hear more of this when the emergency is over and you are happily established as King. Until then, Sir, may I repeat emphatically – trust no one.

Otto. I shall remember what you say. And thank you.

von G. I’ll take you down to the side entrance, Sir.

(They go out together.)

(There is a short pause; then enter Bess. showing in Lehmann.)

Bess. I thought the General was here, sir. Will you wait?

Lehm. Yes. He probably won’t be long.

Bess. Very good, sir. (Exit Bess. Enter Wien.)

Wien. I thought it was you, Lehmann. I raided his room yesterday. I’ve got some pretty important papers.

Lehm. Doesn’t he lock this room when he’s out?

Wien. He wasn’t out. Or to be more accurate, I laid him out.

Lehm. Rather risky, eh? How did you do it?

Wien. Wanged him on the back of the neck with a baby sandbag. Rather a useful little toy.

Lehm. Doesn’t he suspect anything?

Wien. I’m not sure. He’s been a bit curt this morning.

Lehm. What have you found out?

Wien. It’s as we thought. (Lehm. whistles.) I must see you later.

Lehm. Come round to my private house immediately after I leave here.

Wien. I will. (Enter Bess. showing in Adler and Hamm.)

Bess. Will you wait here, Excellencies. The General can’t be long. (Exit Bess.)

Wien. Good morning, Mr. Chancellor. I don’t know where the General is; he was here a quarter of an hour ago. I hope he’s not feeling unwell again.

Adl. What’s the matter with him?

Wien. He had rather a nasty turn yesterday evening. But he seemed quite himself again this morning.

Hamm. Overwork. I’m afraid.

Wien. Yes – we’re kept pretty busy these days, Baron.

(Enter von G.)

Adl. Good morning, General. I hope you’re better.

von G. Better?

Adl. Major Wiener tells us you were taken ill last night.

von G. Major Wiener knows more about my attack than I know myself. He was here at the time, I’m told.

Hamm. It’s lucky someone was here.

von G. Perhaps. All right, Wiener, you needn’t wait.

Wien. Very good, sir. (Exit Wien.)

von G. Sit down, gentlemen. Now I asked you to come round again today on very serious business. You know that I had an interview with Herr Schimmel yesterday.

All. Yes.

von G. In the course of that interview, I made a very startling discovery. You will remember that in our conversation three weeks ago it was decided that the concentration points for our aeroplanes should be Marienstadt, Kostal, Dorm and Hafenstein. Baron von Hammerstein referred to these points again yesterday. Now no one except us four knew of this plan.

Others. No. Quite so.

von G. Then some explanation is needed of how Herr Schimmel comes to know of it.

(Others very concerned.)

Adl. You don’t mean that, von Götz?

von G. Schimmel mentioned those four concentration points by name. He also said that they were known to the German government.

(Pause.)

Hamm. We must alter our plans.

von G. That’s not quite the point, Baron. It must be clear that one of us four has given away a secret which might endanger the very existence of our country.

Hamm. Do you mean to imply, sir...?

von G. I make no accusations, Baron. The facts speak for themselves.

Adl. Well, gentlemen, this is a very serious matter. It is clear from what General von Götz tells us that one of us has been guilty of a very grave indiscretion in mentioning a State secret of the utmost importance. The result is that this information has been handed on to a foreign power. Now I suppose we should all agree that in the present crisis it would be wiser to avoid any scandal. There is only one course open; whoever has committed this indiscretion must admit it freely and resign from office. (No one speaks.) I ought to add, perhaps, that the reason for his resignation need never be made public. (Still silence.) Then gentlemen, I am forced to an even more unpleasant conclusion. One of us has deliberately betrayed the secret to the German Government. (Pause.) My own conscience Is clear.

Hamm. And mine.

von G. And mine. (Lehm. says nothing – but is watching von G.)

Adl. Dr. Lehmann?

Lehm. (Starting.) No – I am innocent.

Adl. Then we are at a deadlock.

von G. May I make a suggestion, Mr. Chancellor?

Adl. Please, General.

von G. I have been putting two and two together gentlemen. We are more or less certain that the mysterious President Elect is someone highly placed in the present system: now we know that one of us four has betrayed secret information to the German Government. There could only be one object in doing this – to assist the Nazi Revolution. Now isn’t it a reasonable conclusion that the man who has been guilty of this breach of trust is himself aiming at supreme power in the new Republic?

Adl. It would look like it, certainly.

von G. Then wouldn’t it be right for you, Mr. Chancellor, to put all the facts before the Crown Prince – and ask him accept the resignation of us all.

Adl. In normal times I should certainly agree. But at the present moment it would be impossible for a new Government who knew nothing of the facts, to cope with the impending rising.

Hamm. I agree, Mr. Chancellor.

von G. But isn’t that better than to allow a traitor to remain in a position in which he has the power to betray all our preparations to the Revolutionaries?

Lehm. Mr. Chancellor – (He stops. All look at him.)

Adl. You wish to say something, Dr. Lehmann?

Lehm. No. I’m sorry. I have nothing to say.

von G. Well Mr. Chancellor, I have expressed my opinion. It is now for you gentlemen to come to a decision.

(Otto bursts into the room. They all rise.)

Otto. Can I see you for a moment, von Götz? (Seeing the others, he stops abruptly.) Oh, I’m sorry; I didn’t know you were engaged.

(At this moment a bell tolls solemnly. All, including the Prince, stand stiffly and reverently to attention.)

Hamm. The King is dead.

Adl. (Quietly, turning to Otto.) Long live the King.

Hamm. I hope your Majesty will accept our deep sympathy and our expressions of loyalty and devotion.

All. (Very quietly.) Hear – hear.

Otto. Thank you, gentlemen. This is a very sad and solemn moment for me. I deeply appreciate what you said, Baron von Hammerstein – and may I add that I will try to be deserving of the same loyalty and devotion which I know you have all shown to my father. No one realises more deeply than I the danger in which our beloved country stands at this moment. But I hope and believe that we shall come through the ordeal unscathed – and I look forward to having your assistance in re-establishing Keinland on a sure and firm foundation.

Adl. I am sure I can speak for my colleagues as well as for myself, Sir, in saying that we are profoundly moved by your words and that it will be our ambition to deserve the trust which you have placed in us.

von G. You wished to see me, Sir?

Otto. Only for a moment, General. But I am in no hurry. I will wait in the next room until your conference is over.

(Exit Otto with von G; no one speaks until von G. returns.)

Adl. Now, gentlemen, I make one final appeal. His Majesty’s words must have deepened the feeling of shame in the man who wittingly or unwittingly has betrayed his country. Wouldn’t this be the moment for him to confess his folly and hand in his resignation?

(No one speaks.)

von G. Mr. Chancellor, His Majesty’s death to some extent solves our problem.

Adl. In what way?

von G. The revolution is now due tomorrow. If anything goes wrong with our arrangements, the President will be proclaimed by his Nazi supporters; if my theory is correct and the President Elect is the one of us four who has betrayed the secret – then he will be given away by his own party.

Hamm. And in any case, if the Revolution does succeed, we shall not be in a position to remain in office.

von G. On the other hand, if our preparations are successful in crushing the rising, there will be no serious crisis, and in that case you can place all the facts before King Otto, Mr Chancellor, and tender the resignation of us all.

Hamm. There is only one point further, Mr. Chancellor. There is the risk that if one of us is really playing a double game – which I must say, I still find it hard to believe – he may warn his friends the Nazis of the impending raids so that they will arm themselves earlier than was originally intended.

Adl. To prevent that, I suggest that you and Dr. Lehmann shall spend the night at my house – and if any of us contemplates treachery, his movements will be under the observation of the other two.

Hamm. I accept your suggestion most willingly.

Lehm. And I. But I must return home first, if you will forgive me, Mr. Chancellor. I have made an appointment to see someone on State business.

Adl. That would surely defeat the whole object of my plan, Dr. Lehmann. We can ring up your house and tell them to ask your friend to come on to mine.

Lehm. In that case I have no option but to accept.

Adl. Well goodnight, General. And my best wishes for the complete success of your undertakings tonight.

von G. Thank you, Mr. Chancellor. I rely implicitly on the devotion and loyalty of the Police. I think I can depend on their carrying cut my orders.

(Exeunt Adl., Hamm. and Lehm.)

von G. Bessing! (Enter Bess.) Bessing, I’ve given these gentlemen something to think about tonight. They’ve gone away all distrusting one another. I’m afraid they will be incapable of taking any action tonight. It will prevent them from meddling with our arrangements.

Bess. But they couldn’t give any orders to upset your plans, General.

von G. Oh yes. Dr. Lehmann, as Minister of the Interior, could override my orders to the Police. If he had got the wind up, he might easily have done so. But as things are, I don’t think the Chancellor will let him.

Bess. That’s ingenious, General.

von G. No chance of interference now, I think. One thing more, Bessing; the new King is staying here tonight. It will be your duty to guard him. He will sleep in the room next to mine. You will stand in the passage all night with a loaded revolver.

Bess. I understand, General.

von G. No one else is to know who our guest is. No one, mind.

Bess. Very good.

von G. If Major Wiener or anyone else asks questions, refer him to me.

Bess. I quite understand.

von G. And if anyone should try to force an entry into the room, shoot him dead.

Bess. I shall enjoy this job, General.

von G. That’s all, Bessing – until I call you.

(von G. exit. Bess looks after him, rubbing his hands. He takes a revolver out of his pocket and regards it affectionately then slips it back and exit. Enter Otto and von G.)

von G. I am sorry to have kept you waiting so long, Sir. The Chancellor had some very important business to discuss with me.

Otto. That’s all right, von Götz. Are all your preparations complete for tonight and tomorrow?

von G. Everything is in readiness, Sir.

Otto. You are quite sure you can rely on the loyalty of the Police?

von G. On their loyalty to me. Yes.

Otto. (A little startled by his tone.) What do you mean, von Götz? Aren’t they loyal to the country?

von G. They will carry out my orders.

Otto. And those orders are to raid the Nazi centres and seize their arms?

von G. The orders I have given are to proceed, in force, to the Communist quarters of the City, as trouble is expected there.

Otto. I didn’t know you were anticipating trouble from the Communists as well.

von G. No trouble is expected in that quarter. But it’s a long way from the Nazi centres. That’s why I’ve sent the Police there.

Otto. But they will be too late to raid the Nazis.

von G. No raid is to be made on the Nazis.

Otto. I’m not in a mood for jokes, von Götz.

von G. I was never further from joking.

Otto. Then you mean...?

von G. I mean, Sir, that the Nazi parade will take place tomorrow, as arranged. The Police are absent on more important duties and will not be able to interfere with the activities of the Nazis.

Otto. General von Götz, I shall return to the Palace and take steps to find out for myself from the Chancellor that the Police are being employed as arranged to raid the Nazi centres.

von G. You’ll stop where you are, you fool.

Otto. (Half way to door – without turning.) I must remind you, von Götz, that I am now your King.

von G. You’re not my King, Sir; you are my prisoner.

Otto. (Turns to find himself covered by von Götz’ revolver.) Then you...

von G. Yes, Sir; tomorrow I shall be President of Keinland.

(A long pause. von G. rings. Bess enters with revolver.)

von G. Bessing, conduct His Majesty to his room.

CURTAIN