Terror In the Streets

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Added: Wed. Aug 20, 2008 4:30pm
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In 1937, Ruth Hamilton traveled to Europe to visit family in Denmark and to embark on a fact-finding mission for her radio program in the States. Her trip started out memorably when she came face-to-face with the son of a famous painter, and she even was invited to watch him at work in his studio.

Now, she's traveled to Nazi Germany. After a tense train ride and a brush with Hitler himself, Ruth is discovering that there is a lot of fear bubbling underneath the surface of bustling Berlin. The following diary entry is excerpted from Ruth's autobiography, "The Hamilton Saga."

Saturday, June 29, 1937  6:30 a.m.

Couldn’t sleep.  Military air everywhere.  Last evening walked down Under Den Linden after a good dinner in a the opulent dining room.  Waiters serving like I was a baroness.  Maybe I am!

The street was a busy one. Funny printing on some of the store windows -- “Jude,” also the Star of David.  Signifies what? Must ask -- no Americans up yet.



Breakfast in the coffee shop -- good coffee.  Papers full of Hitler -- what a God he is -- and why nothing much about him and all this in our papers? Seems everyone amused at the raucous raving we sometimes here on radio and Murrow and Severoid broadcasts from London I always hear.  Even in London the papers are all about the King and Wallis Simpson and Dictator Franco in Spain.

Today I am going to the Kaiser Wilhelm Museum near the hotel. It is now 3 in the afternoon -- a big exhibit of old artist Lucas Cranach.  Hitler hates modern art, this from a young artist who was always behind me. I muttered “beautiful.” Quickly came, “Are you an American?” “Yes, of course, and my first full day here.”

He looked like a typical artist, beret and scarf, lean and starved, and he was.  He introduced himself as Gottfried Fischer from Dresden here on a short museum holiday.  Hadn’t sold any paintings for months.  Hitler forbids modern art.

“Be careful,” he whispered, “spies everywhere.” Another fear shock for me.  “May we talk outside?” he said.  Spoke very good English.

Outside walking on the big Linden he told of his fears. His Jewish artists friends have disappeared.   One he thinks in prison because he kept showing his paintings. This young man wants to migrate to the United States.

At the hotel door I had a quick idea to comfort this sad man so young and promising and to promote my latest discovery. 

“Would you like to see glossies of a very good sculptor’s work, a son of Paul Gauguin’s?” Would he ever! He lit up like a star -- in the lobby he couldn’t stop looking and admiring.

It was time for me to dine and get ready for the opera. I invited my new friend to dinner in that lovely dining room. He accepted and did he eat, he was really starved.  I even gave him part of my menu, poor talented man.  He sure gave me hints of what to except here. I’m scared, but excited.  Must remember everything.

Coming next week: Ruth is dazzled by Hitler's opera house and witnesses the proud youth of the Third Reich showing off their physical fitness.