[Page 579]

The secret protocol provided for close economic and financial collaboration between Germany and Slovakia. Mineral resources and subsoil rights were placed at the disposal of the German government. Article I, Paragraph 3, provided:

"(3) Investigation, development and utilization of the Slovak natural resources. In this respect the basic principle is that insofar as they are needed to meet Slovakias own requirements, they should be placed in first line at Germanys disposal. The entire soil research (Bodenforschung) will be placed under the Reich agency for soil research (Reichsstelle fuer Bodenforschung). The government of the Slovak State will soon start an investigation to determine whether the present owners of concessions and privileges have fulfilled the industrial obligations prescribed by law and it will cancel concessions and privileges in cases where these duties have been neglected. (2793-PS)

In their private conversations the Nazi conspirators gave abundant evidence that they considered Slovakia a puppet State, in effect a German possession. A memorandum of information given by Hitler to von Brauchitisch on 25 March 1939 deals in the main with problems arising from recently occupied Bohemia and Moravia and Slovakia. It states in part:

"Col. Gen. Keitel shall inform Slovak Government via Foreign Office that it would not be allowed to keep of garrison armed Slovak units (Hlinka Guards) on this side of the border formed by the River Waag. They shall be transferred to the new Slovak territory. Hlinka Guards should be disarmed.

"Slovak shall be requested via Foreign Office to deliver to us against payment any arms we want and which are still kept in Slovakia. This request is to be based upon agreement made between Army and Czech troops. For this payment these millions should be used which we will pour anyhow into Slovakia.

"Czech Protectorate.

"H. Gr. [translators note: probably Army groups.] shall be asked again whether the request shall be repeated again for the delivery of all arms within a stated time limit and under the threat of severe penalties.

"We take all war material of former Czechoslovakia without paying for it. The guns bought by contract before 15 February though shall be paid for.

"Bohemia-Moravia have to make annual contributions to the German treasury. Their amount shall be fixed on the basis

[Page 580]

of the expenses earmarked formerly for the Czech Army." (R-100)

The German conquest of Czechoslovakia in direct contravention of the Munich agreement was the occasion for formal protests from the British (TC-52) and French (TC-53) governments, both dated 17 March 1939. On the same day, 17 March 1939, the Acting Secretary of State of the United States issued a statement which read in part as follows:

"***This Government, founded upon and dedicated to the principles of human liberty and of democracy, cannot refrain from making known this country's condemnation of the acts which have resulted in the temporary extinguishment of the liberties of a free and independent people with whom, from the day when the Republic of Czechoslovakia attained its independence, the people of the United States have maintained specially close and friendly relations." (2862-PS)

The original plaintext version of this file is available via ftp.

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