Mission to Moscow Page #3

the fuhrer himself.

You seem very well informed

as to my schedule, major.

Thank you.

We feel gratified,

mr. Ambassador,

that you chose

to visit us first

before going to your

appointment in russia.

Well, i'm interested in

conditions in both countries.

I understand

that the stalin regime

is firmly entrenched

with the russian people.

On the surface, yes,

but before very long,

you may possibly have cause

to change your opinion.

Of course, i have

nothing definite

to base that on,

you understand.

It's merely

my personal opinion.

I see.

Here's

your compartment.

Thank you.

Your luggage is

already inside.

Thank you. You gentlemen have

been extremely kind and thoughtful,

and i wish to thank you both for

ourselves and for our government.

You shouldn't have

said that about russia.

He may remember later.

I said nothing.

Anyway, later it will

make no difference.

Oh, joe, look at those

little wooden soldiers.

It's as if they'd all been

stamped out of the same machine.

Not out of one,

into one.

Oh, i'm so sorry.

Ah, english?

American.

Would you care for

a cigarette?

Oh, thank you, yes.

You americans have

a very good tobacco.

Ours is terrible

at the moment.

We intend to improve it

very shortly.

Really? What do

you intend to buy?

I'm not so sure

we'll have to buy from anyone.

Our fuhrer is a very clever man.

He has many ideas.

And what do you smoke

in the meantime?

I'd rather not know

for sure.

We germans don't mind

a few discomforts now,

because we know what's in store

for us is a great future life.

Do you mean on earth

or somewhere else?

Shall we say somewhere else on earth?

Your excellency.

Madam.

The president of the german

state railways has commanded me

to do all i can for your

comfort on the train.

Please do not hesitate

to ask anything you want.

Thank you. Everything is fine.

Ahem.

Today the fuhrer

is reviewing the army.

You are very fortunate,

your excellency.

It's a great privilege,

colonel.

Can you see

everything clearly?

Oh, yes, perfectly.

Of course, we are

greatly honored

by your visit,

mr. Ambassador,

but, well, frankly,

we wondered why you

wanted first to see me.

I'm only a banker,

not a diplomat.

You're more than

a banker, dr. Schacht.

You're the financial

brains of germany.

Well, i thought i might get a clearer

picture of conditions here from you

than i could from the

gentlemen in the foreign office.

What conditions?

Why is the greater part of germany's

entire production devoted to armaments?

We do not want

another war.

But unfortunately,

in europe,

the dove of peace must

have wings of steel

or be destroyed.

No, i can't agree

with you, dr. Schacht.

If a nation wants to live

in peace with its neighbors,

it doesn't keep rattling

a saber at them.

Oh, yes.

I believe you

americans call it

the "good neighbor

policy."

But you can be

a good neighbor

only if you have

good neighbors.

France and great britain are not.

We have tried

to appeal at them,

but words have

become useless.

Now we have

begun to rearm

purely as a basis

for argument.

No, no.

That kind of an argument only

leads to a fight, dr. Schacht.

We are convinced that a

peaceful solution can be found.

President roosevelt is ready to

support any further german claims

based on her legitimate needs or

her legal rights on one condition:

That the leaders

of the german reich

agree to a plan of

immediate disarmament.

What plan,

mr. Ambassador?

A very simple one.

Mr. Roosevelt proposes that every

nation in the world limit its armaments

to the weapons a man

can carry on his shoulder.

Hmm. I see.

Has the president

communicated his proposal

to england

and france?

No, not yet, but we

have reason to believe

that they will not hold back

if germany gives her consent.

Dr. Schacht, you cannot build to

destroy and escape destruction yourself.

Before it is too late, prevail upon

your leaders to consider this proposal.

You and i both know this is the

last good chance on earth of peace.

If that chance is lost, your

government must take the responsibility

for the most terrible

disaster in history.

Mr. Ambassador,

i like your president's

proposal.

It has the simplicity

of genius,

and i believe

it is sincere.

I shall take it up

with my government.

However,

i must warn you.

I am not

the government.

If they ask it, i shall give

them my favorable opinion.

That's all

i can promise.

I quite understand.

If there is anything

i can do for you

during your stay here, mr.

Davies, please let me know.

I shall consider it

a favor.

Thank you. There is one

favor i'd like to ask.

Ambassador dodd has had

some difficulty

in arranging an appointment

for me to see herr hitler.

I thought perhaps

your office-

my dear mr. Ambassador,

i'm sure our fuhrer would

be delighted to see you,

but just now,

he's a very busy man.

So is president roosevelt,

but he felt that this was a

matter of extreme importance.

Of course, i'm quite willing to

postpone my leaving for moscow.

Oh, yes, yes.

Of course.

I'll see

what i can do.

Thank you.

Sir.

Get me herr minister

von ribbentrop.

Herr ribbentrop,

herr schacht speaking.

The american ambassador davies

has just left my office.

He brings a remarkable offer

of disarmament

from president roosevelt-

nothing larger than a man

can carry on his shoulder.

How simple. The

americans are very naive.

And to come with such a

plan to you of all persons.

To you, herr schacht.

Disarmament.

Ha ha ha!

Yes.

Yes, very amusing.

I waited

two full weeks in berlin

to tell hitler

my president's offer,

but he would not see me.

I left for moscow knowing that the

first part of my mission was a failure;

that germany had already turned her

back to peace and her face to war.

Shall we cross

the border, sir?

Well, henderson, you're the

charge d'affaires. Lead on.

Right here, sir.

That's it.

Hold it.

Thank you.

Colonel faymonville!

How do you do?

Welcome to your new

post, mr. Ambassador.

Thank you,

colonel.

Mr. Barkov.

Mr. Ambassador.

From the russian embassy.

Mrs. Davies.

Miss davies.

Is that

everyone?

Major kamenev,

your excellency.

May i welcome you

to the soviet union

in the name

of my government.

Thank you, major.

My wife.

How do you do?

My daughter.

How do

you do?

Your train will be

ready in a few minutes.

This way, please.

My, what fine-looking soldiers.

Yes, sir.

Good fighting men, too.

Would you care for a

little refreshment, perhaps?

Would we care?

All we had this morning

is some ersatz eggs.

Marjorie, real food!

Over here, please.

This is very kind

of you, indeed.

This way,

mrs. Davies.

Thank you.

Mmm! This is

delicious.

What are these?

The little fish?

This is [russian word].

And this is [russian word],

sort of smoked ham.

It looks delicious.

A great favorite of ours.

Oh,

thank you.

Very much.

Now, marjorie,

i wouldn't admit this

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