Foreign Relations of the United States Diplomatic Papers, 1938, General, Volume I

863.00/1464: Telegram

The Ambassador in Germany (Wilson) to the Secretary of State

Berlin, March 14, 1938—1 p.m.
[Received March 14—12:40 p.m.]

123. The following are some of the miscellaneous measures announced here in connection with the incorporating of Austria within the Reich.

1. Gauleiter Bürckel who directed the administrative incorporation of the Saar within Germany is to reorganize the National Socialist Party in Austria and as acting leader of the party will be in charge of the preparations for the plebiscite.

2. In a decree dated March 13 Hitler declared the Austrian Army as of that date a component part of the German Army and ordered all members of the “former Austrian Army” immediately to swear allegiance to him as Commander-in-Chief.

As “General of the German Eighth Army”, General von Bock was named commander of the “present German army within the Austrian boundaries”.

3. German Minister of Economics Funk sent a telegram to the corresponding Austrian Minister stating that German economy greets the economy of a free German Austria which under Nazi leadership, henceforth will participate in the “powerful German economic upswing under the Four Year Plan”.⁶⁷ Simultaneously it has been announced that at the request of the Austrian Government the 40% reduction of Austrian exports to Germany which has been in effect since November 1, 1937, is repealed as of today. (No information respecting this trade reduction had been previously announced here.)

4. Darre becomes farm leader for Austria.

5. Austrian leaders of the German Labor Front and the S. A. in Austria are named. The erstwhile Austrian labor organization is to be liquidated.

6. The property of the Fatherland Front is sequestrated for the benefit of the community and the National Socialist Party is to occupy its office buildings.

7. Reich youth leader Schirach takes over the Austrian youth and Austrian customs stations are to be made youth hostels.

8. The Vienna radio becomes part of the German system and the Vienna Telegraph becomes a party paper under the title of N S Telegraph.

9. Representatives of the Austrian Evangelical Church have pronounced the union of that church with the German Evangelical Church.

10. Schuschnigg has been arrested at Vienna and at present remains in the custody of General Kraus “whom he had insulted”.

11. The Austrian Ministers in London, Paris, and Praha have been retired.

12. Party golden honoresco conferred upon former Ambassador von Papen in appreciation of his cooperation.

13. In order to stop “Jewish capital flight” Austrian postal authorities have power to prevent despatch outside the country of money and securities.

14. Hitler yesterday addressed the following telegram to the Italian Premier: “Mussolini I will never forget this!”

Wilson

67. For correspondence regarding the Four Year Plan, see Foreign Relations, 1936, vol. ii, pp. 140 ff.