762.63/453: Telegram
The Chargé in Germany ( Gilbert ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 18—3:21 p.m.]
62. The Military Attaché reports that as a result of numerous conversations and discussions with army sources he is convinced that the agreement reached with Austria as a result of the Hitler–Schuschnigg conversations contains military clauses providing for the gradual “assimilation” of the Austrian Army into the German.
Presumably this military agreement covers:
- (1)
- Unification of tactical doctrine through adoption of similar text books,
- (2)
- Austrian adoption of German military organization,
- (3)
- Gradual introduction of uniform weapons,
- (4)
- Coordination of war plans.
The Military Attaché believes that within the relatively near future there will be evidence of a military alliance through the appointment of standing military missions by each country to the other country.
As a corollary of the foregoing it is believed here that further [Page 403] changes in the Austrian Government will be announced shortly which will include the appointment of a “pro-German” Chief of Staff of the Austrian Army.