863.00/1421: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 12—10:20 a.m.]
115. At 11 o’clock this morning Goebbels54 read to the foreign press and representatives of the foreign missions the Fuehrer’s proclamation which was later broadcast over the radio and which it is understood American news agencies will carry in full.
The first part of the proclamation contained a lengthy justification of Germany’s intervention in Austria.
The last portion sets forth the following essential announcements:
- 1.
- Tanks, infantry divisions, S. S. detachments and the air force will be employed at the call of the new National Socialist Government in Vienna.
- 2.
- They will guarantee that a real plebiscite will shortly be held by the Austrian people.
- 3.
- Behind these armed forces stands the will and determination of the entire German nation.
- 4.
- That as leader of the German people he, Hitler, will be happy now as a German and free citizen to be able to return to that country which is his home.
Goebbels announced that the “troops” first entered Austria at 5:30 this morning.
Deutsches Nachrichtenbüro reports that during Hitler’s necessary absence from Berlin, Goering will be his representative for the conduct of the Government.
Local news sources state that Hitler is now in Munich. The despatch of S. S. guards to Austria is taken to signify that he will shortly cross the frontier and may even visit Vienna.
- Joseph Goebbels, Reich Minister for National Enlightenment and Propaganda.↩