762.63/441: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany ( Gilbert ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 17—2:25 p.m.]
60. This evening’s press announces that the new Austrian Minister of the Interior Seyss-Inquart arrived in Berlin this morning “for a short visit” and was received by Hitler. It is learned that he also saw Ribbentrop and it is reported that the necessity was impressed upon him in both of these conversations of cleaning up in Austria what was described as “communist elements”. It may be further noteworthy that he spent some time at the offices of the secret police.
[Page 399]The circumstance of a newly appointed member of the Austrian Cabinet who is known to be pro-German being thus in effect “summoned” to Berlin is construed here as sharply indicative of the nature of the new relationship between Germany and Austria.