704.60F62/3: Telegram
The Minister in Czechoslovakia (Carr) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 22—9:55 a.m.]
217. Your telegram No. 65, September 19. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has informed me that he greatly appreciates your frankness as well as your desire to be of assistance. He has asked me to convey to you the official requests of the Czechoslovak Government to take over in case of conflict between Czechoslovakia and Germany the protection of Czechoslovak citizens and interests in the German Reich. He said he had received what amounted to ultimatums from the Hungarian and Polish Governments demanding for the Polish and Hungarian minorities in this country the same treatment as now conceded to the Germans. He requested that if conflict with Poland and Hungary ensues the United States represent Czechoslovak interests in those countries also.
The moment he said is critical adding he hoped war would be averted but newspaper reports from abroad indicated that Hitler at today’s [Page 635] meeting with Chamberlain might enlarge his demands resulting in further pressure on this country. Henlein irregulars he said had occupied Asch and the narrow strip of indefensible territory in which it is included. If these irregulars or German Army elements occupied further portions of the boundary territory the Czechoslovak Army would have to defend itself.
Am repeating to Berlin, Warsaw, and Budapest.