President Harris Welcomes Hitler’s Death, Calls for Ceasefire
A dispatch from a parallel universe
Washington, D.C., May 2, 1945 (AP): “There is no doubt that Adolf Hitler is dead.” President Harry S Harris, speaking to newspaper reporters at the White House yesterday afternoon, confirmed the accuracy of reports on German radio announcing the German leader’s death.
“This is welcome news,” the President stated. “Hitler has the blood of millions of innocent people on his hands, including Americans. His death has brought peace one step nearer. It presents an opportunity to end the horrific suffering of the German people. Millions of civilians have been killed. Many more have lost their homes. Food and water are in short supply. There is a high risk of a public health crisis.
“I am calling today for an immediate ceasefire and the dispatch of food, medicine and other humanitarian aid to the German people. Negotiations must begin immediately for the release of hostages held in German concentration camps, the withdrawal of Allied forces from German territory and the establishment of a new German government that represents the will of all Germans.
“I have directed Secretary of State Stettinius to meet with Mr. Hitler’s designated successor, Admiral Doenitz, to arrange the details of the cessation of hostilities.”
Harris grew testy when told that Prime Minister Churchill had rejected the idea of a ceasefire and instead demanded “unconditional surrender”. “It appears that Mr. Churchill doesn’t want the war to end. He should put the good of humanity above political calculations.”
Near the end of the press conference, an unidentified man interrupted Harris by shouting, “End the genocide!”, an apparent reference to the more than 500,000 Germans who, according to the Ministry of Health in Berlin, have been killed by Allied bombing. Harris replied, “I’m speaking.” As guards hustled the heckler out of the briefing room, he shouted again, “Half a million dead!”
In the silence that followed his exit, Harris turned back to the audience.
“Listen, what he’s talking about, it’s real. That’s not the subject that I came to discuss today, but it’s real and I respect his voice,” Harris said.