HARRY GRAF KESSLER

To-day the Peace Treaty was ratified at Paris; the War is over. A terrible era begins for Europe, like the gathering of clouds before a storm, and it will end in an explosion probably more terrible than that of the World War. In Germany there are all the signs of a continuing growth of nationalism.

Every German convoy we meet between Seilles and Bierwart carried pillage ... our soldiers get used to drinking and looting. In Leige whole platoons get drink daily on wine and schnapps from burnt-out houses. It will be hard to stop this sort of thing.

Until we have created a romance of peace that would equal that of war, violence will not disappear from people's lives.

Assaults, bomb-throwings, and murders continue in East Prussia, Bavaria, and Holstein. It has now been officially established that the cases of arson and bomb-throwings at Konigsberg were committed by Nazis. The Government held a Cabinet meeting on the subject yesterday, but confined itself to threatening vigorous action. It obviously hesitates about getting on the wrong side of the Nazis.

The death sentence passed on five Nazi murderers by a court … has caused terrific excitement throughout the Nazi Party. It evidently thought itself above the law while committing the vilest crimes. Hitler has sent the murderers a personally signed telegram, assuring them of his sympathy and declaring it “a point of honour” that they shall be pardoned. And these are the sort of people who are now to enter the Government!

Mussolini has been appointed Prime Minister by the King of Italy. This may turn out to be a black day for Italy and Europe.

What is ugly about life is that it so often only provides uneasy half solutions that are so seldom pure and tragic ones.

Several million ordinary folk were killed and several hundred thousand starved to death; none of my acquaintances died of hunger.

It seems to me we are now, since 1789, going through the same sort of process of regeneration the Roman world went through between 300 and 500. It is only to be hoped all civilization will not again be destroyed by the anarchists.

I am utterly, consummately intense, wearing sunflowers and poppies and dahlias in my buttonhole.

Until we have created a romance of peace that would equal that of war, violence will not disappear from people's lives.

How rich our German life is compared to France or England: what an abundance of social types and customs with completely different origins... Germany is a world, whereas England and France, with their stereotypically divided three social classes, are but enlarged villages... what a stage for a Balzac.

It seems to me we are now, since 1789, going through the same sort of process of regeneration the Roman world went through between 300 and 500. It is only to be hoped all civilization will not again be destroyed by the anarchists.

I am utterly, consummately intense, wearing sunflowers and poppies and dahlias in my buttonhole.

What is ugly about life is that it so often only provides uneasy half solutions that are so seldom pure and tragic ones.

To-day the Peace Treaty was ratified at Paris; the War is over. A terrible era begins for Europe, like the gathering of clouds before a storm, and it will end in an explosion probably more terrible than that of the World War. In Germany there are all the signs of a continuing growth of nationalism.

The death sentence passed on five Nazi murderers by a court … has caused terrific excitement throughout the Nazi Party. It evidently thought itself above the law while committing the vilest crimes. Hitler has sent the murderers a personally signed telegram, assuring them of his sympathy and declaring it “a point of honour” that they shall be pardoned. And these are the sort of people who are now to enter the Government!

Assaults, bomb-throwings, and murders continue in East Prussia, Bavaria, and Holstein. It has now been officially established that the cases of arson and bomb-throwings at Konigsberg were committed by Nazis. The Government held a Cabinet meeting on the subject yesterday, but confined itself to threatening vigorous action. It obviously hesitates about getting on the wrong side of the Nazis.

Mussolini has been appointed Prime Minister by the King of Italy. This may turn out to be a black day for Italy and Europe.

Several million ordinary folk were killed and several hundred thousand starved to death; none of my acquaintances died of hunger.

Every German convoy we meet between Seilles and Bierwart carried pillage ... our soldiers get used to drinking and looting. In Leige whole platoons get drink daily on wine and schnapps from burnt-out houses. It will be hard to stop this sort of thing.