Berlin, The Cabinet Meeting Room, Tuesday, 13 December 1947
Gottfried Treviranus, Minister of Transport, arrived early for the day’s meeting of the Cabinet; a move driven by concerns with the abrupt resignation of Bernard from the presidency of the Reichsbank. ‘Personal concerns’ were the official explanation, but Treviranus was certain that there was more to it. The divisive question of German economic policy in Eastern Europe was coming to a head – there were rumours that von Hapsburg had come back savaged from a meeting with Fürst Friedrich of Hohenzollern. How he wished he had been a fly on the wall so as to listen in. Like Andreas Hermes, the Minister of Agriculture, he wished to expand German influence – if not outright control – in the regions that were by nature Germany’s to dominate. His pride – the National Motorways – pointed the way to domination of the Continent.
Treviranus’ reverie was broken as the door opened to admit the Chancellor. “Ah, there you are Herr Treviranus,” he said, and closed the door behind him.
“Good morning Herr Chancellor,” Treviranus replied, rising to his feet. He was surprised at Adenauer being here so early, and unaccompanied by any of the other ministers or his staff.
“Please take your seat,” the Chancellor replied. He himself took his chair at the head of the table, placed a portfolio on the desk, and with a deft movement slid it down the table, where it stopped within reach of the Minister of Transport. “I would like you to read this.”
Treviranus did as he was told, while the Chancellor continued. “I am shocked that you, my old friend, would have acted so contrary to the spirit of unity required of a member of the Cabinet. You conspired with Hermes to deprive the Cabinet of information vital to its decision-making processes. You have obstructed the foreign policy of the Government for your own ends. You are not fit to serve the nation in any official capacity.”
The dossier included the memorandum from Bernard directing suppression of the state of Romanian finances; it included a copy of Bernard’s own resignation from the Reichsbank, which hinted at his hand in other matters; and – to Treviranus’ shock – the resignation of the Minister of Agriculture, Hermes.
“Herr Chancellor…” Treviranus tried to find words.
“Today’s meeting is cancelled; I expect your resignation on my desk by this afternoon.” Adenauer rose, took the portfolio from Treviranus’ trembling hands, and stalked out of the room.
Treviranus sat quietly for more than a few moments. He then took a sheet of paper from the rack of Cabinet stationery and wrote out the death sentence for his political career.
Hamburger Abendblatt, Wednesday, 17 December 1947
Financial markets were rocked today by the announcement of the resignation of Minister of Agriculture Andreas Hermes and Minister of Transport Gottfried Treviranus. Coming hard upon the resignation of Karl Bernard as president of the Reichsbank the departure of the two ministers has introduced an element of instability which has yet to be righted.
Bremer Nachrichten, Thursday, 18 December 1947
The Ministry of Defence announced today that it has placed orders with the Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke for the supply of an initial quantity of two hundred of the firm’s Vf191 advanced training aircraft, this first of which is due to be delivered next spring.