Office of the Historian

863.00/1518: Telegram

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

Berlin, March 17, 1938—1 p.m.
[Received March 17—2 p.m.]

129. The March 16th issue of the Reichsgesetzblatt contains the following important dispositions with respect to Austria which entered into effect as of that date.

1.
All Reich laws promulgated since the entry into force the law of reunion of Austria with Germany of March 13, 1938 likewise apply to Austria unless exceptions are specified.
2.
The following earlier Reich laws are henceforth to apply in Austria annulling all Anglo-French [sic] provisions:
(a)
The Reich flag law of September 15, 1935 with the provision that Jews are forbidden to display the colors.
(b)
The law of December 14, 1933 against the formation of new parties.
(c)
The law of December 1, 1933 and July 3, 1934 for the protection of the unity of party and state.
(d)
The Reichstatthalter law of January 30, 1935 with the proviso that instructions of Reich Ministers to the Reichstatthalter in Austria require until further notice the endorsement of the Reich Minister of the Interior.
(e)
The decree of October 18, 1936 for the execution of the Four Year Plan.
(f)
The law of February 3, 1938 instituting a registration obligation for German nationals abroad.
3.
Seyss-Inquart is named “Reichstatthalter in Austria”.
4.
The Austrian Federal Government henceforth bears the designation “Austrian Provincial Government” (Landesregierung). It is to be situated in Vienna and the Reichstatthalter will direct and distribute its functions.
5.
The Reich Minister of the Interior is to be the central authority to effect the incorporation of Austria within the Reich. He may delegate his authority to a “Reich Commissioner for Austria” who is to be stationed in Vienna and is to be named jointly by the Reich Minister of the Interior and the Reich Commissioner for the Four Year Plan. The latter may also confer authority upon the Reich Commissioner for Austria.

Comment—the provision for a Reich Commissioner for Austria (as yet unnamed) bears comparison with the similar step taken for the reincorporation of the Saar.

Wilson