762.63/436: Telegram
The Minister in Czechoslovakia (Carr) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 16—2:55 p.m.]
14.…
The fact that Berchtesgaden conversations had occurred became known here Sunday but information regarding their nature was impossible to obtain. Foreign Office officials claimed to have no information. Late yesterday Schuschnigg had had long conversation with Prime Minister Hodza. In the last 24 hours there has been extreme nervousness on the part of Austrians and the Czechs including the military. In diplomatic circles here opinion seems to be that the first step toward extinction of Austria’s independence has been taken and that this country is exceedingly apprehensive that it may be the next object of German pressure although on the basis of available facts and Hitler’s reported assurances regarding Austrian independence I [Page 397] find it difficult to see the reason for this opinion and the existing nervousness. The press reports that to the contrary German generals participated in the Berchtesgaden conversations and that there was concentration of troops in southeast Bavaria; also that military maneuvers in the region are scheduled for the 16, 17, 23 and 24 of February. No confirmatory information so far here.