124.63/97: Telegram
The Chargé in Austria (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 13—11:54 p.m.]
78. The French Minister has requested the members of his Legation to repatriate their children. He has not yet received orders to leave. The British Minister has received orders to “report” and leaves tomorrow morning.
The Government formed after the resignation of Schuschnigg has never announced itself officially or otherwise to the Diplomatic Corps. Knowledge of its existence derives only from radio broadcast and the press.
I venture to invite your attention to the status of this Mission. It seems about to lose its diplomatic status. Under such circumstances consular section may thereafter not have consular status since none of us has an exequatur.
I am not in relations with the Government of Austria if any. I would therefore be glad if the Department would endeavor to seek clarification elsewhere.
When other diplomatic representatives leave, perhaps soon, the question may arise whether I should remain. A diplomatic representative accredited to the Schuschnigg government might not make a useful consular representative.
I wish to add that upon clarification of the situation I am of course prepared to remain indefinitely or to leave immediately as the Department may instruct.
Radio announces that German and Austrian Armies have been consolidated under command of General von Bock of the Eighth Army.
Bürckel who represented NSDAP66 in Saar now appointed party chief for Austria. Will presumably supervise plebiscite.
Representatives of every conceivably German service except Fire Department already in Vienna.
- National-Sozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter-Partel.↩