On 11 April 1934, Hitler met with German military leaders on the ship "Deutschland". By that time, he knew President Paul von Hindenburg would likely die before the end of the year. Hitler informed the army hierarchy of Hindenburg's declining health and proposed that the "Reichswehr" support him as Hindenburg's successor. In exchange, he offered to reduce the SA, suppress Röhm's ambitions, and guarantee the "Reichswehr" would be Germany's only military force. According to war correspondent William L. Shirer, Hitler also promised to expand the army and navy.