762.63/423: Telegram
The Chargé in Austria ( Wiley ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:20 p.m.]
16. My 15, February 12, 5 p.m. Brief official communiqué states only that Schuschnigg and Schmidt accompanied by Papen paid visit to Obersalzberg on invitation Hitler. Ribbentrop19 present. “This unofficial meeting responded to reciprocal desire to discuss all questions having to do with Austro-Hungarian [Austro-German?] relations.”
Am informed by Federal Press Service that time for preparation and discussion was inadequate to permit agreement on specific points. “Therefore in the near future expression in concrete form will be given to the proposed clarification.” Press service states that though psychological influences and material facts made difficult reciprocal [Page 391] satisfactory carrying out of July 11th agreement position of the Austrian Government is fixed on bases of this agreement and that the interests and intentions of the Reich Government point in the same direction.
My impression is that Schuschnigg has so far maintained his position and that further negotiations are impending. I am reliably informed that Schmidt expresses himself as pleased with results of yesterday’s conversations. Shall report further after seeing Schmidt.
- Joachim von Ribbentrop, appointed Reich Minister for Foreign Affairs February 4, 1938.↩