Nazi Conspiracy & Aggression D. Pressure and Threats Resulting in Further Concessions:
Berchtesgaden, 12 February 1938.
Chancellor Schuschnigg states in an affidavit (2995-PS) that
in 1938 von Papen suggested to him that he should meet
Hitler at Berchtesgaden. After several discussions
Schuschnigg agreed to go, provided three conditions were
met:
(1) He must be invited by Hitler.
(2) He must be previously informed of the precise agenda and
assured that the agreement of 11 July 1936 would be
maintained.
:(3) There was to be an agreement in advance that the
communique to be published at the end of the meeting would
affirm the 11 July 1936 agreement.
Von Papen brought back word from Hitler inviting Schuschnigg
and agreeing with these conditions, particularly the
maintenance of the July 1936 treaty. (2995-PS)
The official German communique of this conference between
Hitler and Schuschnigg at Obersalzberg on 12 February 1938
was calm (2461-PS). The communique stated that the
unofficial meeting was caused by the mutual desire to
clarify by personal conversations the questions relating to
the relationship between
[Page 482]
the German Reich and Austria. The communique listed, as
among those present, Schuschnigg and his Foreign Minister
Schmidt, Hitler and his Foreign Minister Ribbentrop, and von
Papen. The communique concluded: "Both statesmen are
convinced that the measures taken by them constitute at the
same time an effective contribution toward the peaceful
development of the European situation." (2461-PS). A similar
communique was issued by the Austrian Government.
In fact, as a result of the conference great concessions
were obtained by the German Government from Austria. The
principal concessions are contained in the official Austrian
communique dated 16 February 1938 (2464-PS). The communique
announced a reorganization of the Austrian Cabinet,
including the appointment of Seyss-Inquart to the position
of Minister of Security and Interior. In addition,
announcement was made of a general political amnesty to
Nazis convicted of crimes. (2464-PS)
Two days later, on 18 February 1938, another concession was
divulged in the official German and Austrian communique
concerning the equal rights of Austrian National Socialists
in Austria (2469-PS). The communique announced that pursuant
to the Berchtesgaden conference, the Austrian National
Socialists would be taken into the Fatherland Front, the
single legal political party of Austria.
Schuschnigg's affidavit on his Berchtesgaden visit on 12
February 1938 (2995-PS) points out that considerable
pressure was brought to bear on him at the Berghof. Several
Generals Keitel, Sperrle, and Reichenau, names which were
omitted from the formal communique later issuedwere present
on his arrival. The conference started with a two-hour
conference between Schuschnigg and Hitler alone. Hitler made
no precise demands but attacked Schuschnigg violently. In
the words of the affidavit:
"I furthermore state and affirm that, immediately after
arriving at the Berghof, I commenced a conference with
Hitler. Hitler and I were alone for two hours. Hitler
attacked in a violent manner the politics of Austria,
both of the past and present. He furthermore informed
me that he, Hitler, had 'decided to bring the Austrian
question to a solution so-or-so, even if he had to
immediately use military force.' At no time during the
first two hours of our conversation did Hitler ever
make any precise demands or requests of me, but spent
the whole of the two hours accusing me and menacing me
as a traitor to Austrian politics. Especially he
informed me that, according to his knowledge, Austria
could no longer reckon
[Page 483]
with any assistance from other European Powers, and
that Austria now stood alone in the world. He
furthermore added 'Schuschnigg, you now have the chance
to put your name alongside the names of other famous
German leaders, such as Goering, Hess, Frick, Epp,
Goebbels, and others.' ***". (2995-PS)
After Hitler's violent threats, Schuschnigg had discussions
of a calmer nature with von Ribbentrop and von Papen. They
talked soothinglY and comfortingly to Schuschnigg but
reached the same conclusion, that he should yield to German
demands, which in practical effect meant Nazi control of the
Government of Austria.
"I furthermore state and affirm that I was next called
before Joachim von Ribbentrop with my Secretary for
Foreign Affairs, Guido Schmidt, and, in the presence of
Franz von Papen, Ribbentrop exhibited to me a
typewritten draft containing the conditions and demands
made by Hitler upon me and Austria. He furthermore
added that Hitler has informed me, Ribbentrop, 'that
these demands that I now offer to you are the final
demands of the Fuehrer and that he, Hitler, is not
prepared to further discuss them'. He further stated
that, 'you must accept the whole of these demands
herein contained'. Ribbentrop then advised me to accept
the demands at once. I protested, and referred him to
my previous agreements with von Papen, made prior to
coming to Berchtesgaden, and made it clear to
Ribbentrop that I was not prepared to be confronted
with such unreasonable demands as he had then and there
placed before me. Von Papen, still present, apologized
and informed me that he, von Papen, was entirely
surprised and not at all informed about the aims of the
Fuehrer as here laid down. He further stated, and
informed me, that he, von Papen, could only offer his
advice and that he should now accede to, and sign,
these demands. He furthermore informed me that I could
be assured that Hitler would take care that, if I
signed these demands and acceded to them, that from
that time on Germany would remain loyal to this
Agreement and that there would be no further
difficulties for Austria." (2995-PS)
Finally, after obtaining some minor concessions from
Ribbentrop, Schuschnigg met with Hitler again. This time
Hitler not only put pressure upon Schuschnigg, but also,
upon learning that the approval of President Miklas of
Austria as necessary, indicated clearly to Schuschnigg that
military action would follow if Miklas did not approve the
agreement. In the words of Schuschnigg's affidavit:
[Page 484]
" I further state and say, that I then went before
Hitler again. Hitler was very excited and informed me
that he would make a final test with Austria, and
stated further: that you must fulfill the conditions of
the demands made by me on you within three days, or
else I will order the march into Austria." I replied:
"I am not able to take over the obligation to fulfill
your demands, for I am only the Chancellor of Austria,
and that obligation you attempt to place upon me is the
duty only of the Federal President, Miklas; I am only
able to sign the draft, and, when I arrive in Vienna,
to present it to the Federal President. Hitler then
flung open the door and yelled Keitel. At the same
time, Hitler asked me to wait outside. Keitel then came
in to Hitler. After twenty minutes or more I was again
called before Hitler and, when before him, he, Hitler,
informed me as follows: "For the first time in my life,
I have changed my mind. You must sign the demands that
I have made upon you, then report them to the Federal
President, Miklas, and within three days from now
Austria must fulfill the Agreement, otherwise things
will take their natural course. I then agreed to sign
the demands and, while waiting in Hitlers private room,
he, Hitler, in an entirely changed mood, said to Franz
von Papen, who was also present, "herr von Papen,
through your assistance I was appointed Chancellor of
Germany and thus the Reich was saved from the abyss of
communism. I will never forget that. Papen replied: Ja,
wohl, Mein Fuehrer.
"I furthermore say and affirm that I, in the presence
of Ribbentrop, Guido Schmidt, von Papen, and Hitler,
signed the demands, and retained a copy for the
Austrian Government.
"I further state and affirm that, on the way back to
Vienna from Berchtesgaden, Franz von Papen informed me
as follows: Now you have your own impression of how
excited the Fuehrer can get, but that happens very
seldom, and I am convinced that the next time you meet
him, you will have an amicable conversation with him." (2995-PS)
The
original plaintext version
of this file is available via
ftp.
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Volume
I Chapter IX
Aggression Against Austria
(Part 11 of 19)