740.00/323: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Davies) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 14—5:40 p.m.]
69. 1. Litvinov74 told me today during the course of a conversation that the European situation was critically dangerous; that the Soviet Foreign Office had been advised formally of the incorporation of [Page 446] Austria in the German Reich; that the Austrian Minister had already left Moscow several days ago; that the Chargé d’Affaires was leaving and that the Legation would practically be closed; that he assumed that diplomatic representations of all countries in Vienna would now be terminated; that he definitely believed that responsibility for Austria rested on the Chamberlain Government as a result of the Halifax and similar conversations indicating English acquiescence; that in his opinion in view of developments Chamberlain would encounter difficulty in arranging a satisfactory agreement with Mussolini’s acquiescence, Hitler had probably agreed to support Mussolini in the Mediterranean and Spain; that for the immediate present Czechoslovakia was secure but such security was only temporary; that in the event of German attack on Czechoslovakia France in view of her treaty would of course come to the support of Czechoslovakia “otherwise it will also be the end of France”; that under these conditions England would be compelled to come in and support France.
2. In answer to my question he stated that a European war was definitely a possibility this summer and that the aggressiveness of Germany would probably again manifest itself this year.
3. The Czechoslovak Minister advised me today that Czechoslovakia had received a few days ago assurances from Germany that it had no hostile intent; and that Czechoslovakia was not making preparations for immediate military resistance; that in fact the decision with respect to this matter rested not with Czechoslovakia but with France and England.
4. The Austrian Chargé d’Affaires informed a member of my staff this evening that although no definite decision has been reached he may depart tomorrow for Vienna for “a week or 10 days” leaving no diplomatic officer in the Mission.
- Maxim M. Litvinov, People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union.↩