DOCUMENTS OF GERMAN POLITICS
[Dokumente der Deutsehen Politik Grossdeutschland]
Vol. 6, part 1., 1939.
(edited by Paul Meier-Benneekenstein)
[Pages 135-137, no. 24]
Letter from the Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor to Mussolini on the eve of 11 March 1938.
In a fateful hour I am turning to you, Excellency, to inform you about a decision, occasioned by the circumstances and irrevocable from today on. For years the Germans in Austria have been forced and mistreated by a regime which lacks all lawful foundation. The immeasurable sufferings to which they are exposed have no limits. Germany alone has as of now accepted 4,000 refugees who had to leave their fatherland although the great majority of Austria's population shares their political view. In order to eliminate this tension which became increasingly unbearable, I decided to undertake a last attempt with the Chancellor of the Confederation Schuschnigg, to reach an agreement whereby full equality for all under the law should be guaranteed once and for all. During one conference at Berchtesgaden I directed the Austrian Confederation's Chancellor's attention to the fact that Germany could not for long bear it that a majority in Austria would be mistreated by a minority on account of its national ideology. I myself am a son of this earth, Austria is my country, and I know from the circle of my own relations what great adversities and sufferings the great majority of this people who serve these national ideas have to endure. I pointed out to the Austrian chancellor that such a condition could not be tolerated by a great nation. I dare say that it would be a unique fact in the world if one had to stand by idly while men of the same blood, the same descent and of the same common historical past are being persecuted and deprived of rights for these very reasons. In addition, I told Schuschnigg that in case the equality of right of ail Germans in Austria would not be restored we should be compehed some day to take over ourselves the protection of our brothers, forgotten by everybody. My demands were more than moderate. According to all principles of reason, right and justice and the democratic ways, Schuschnigg really should have resigned to make room for a government which enjoys the confidence of the whole nation.
I did not go that far. I was satisfied with a number of assurances according to which in the future all inhabitants of Austria would be entitled to the same rights and the same duties and that from the military aspect a certain security would be created within the framework of the Austrian laws which, though not righteously decreed, were nevertheless in force. Chancellor of the Confederacy Schuschnigg solemnly assured me this and made an agreement in this sense. But from the first moment on he did not keep it. Today he struck a new blow against this agreement by instituting a pretended plebiscite which should become a really distorted picture of a plebiscite. The consequences which this new violation created among the majority of the people were those I feared: the Austrian people are now finally revolting against the constant pressure which necessarily would lead to new measures of force. Therefore, the representatives of the oppressed population as well as the government and of the other organizations retired.
Since day before yesterday the country is increasingly driving towards anarchy. By authority of my responsibility as Fuehrer and chancellor of the German Reich, but also as a son of this earth, I can no longer watch idly the course of these events.
I have decided, therefore, to restore in the future in my country peace and order and to give to the will of the people the opportunity to clearly, openly and unequivocably decide for themselves their own future. .
I want, therefore, to assure you, the Duce of the Italian people, and fascist Italy, most solemnly the following:
1. Consider this procedure as an art of native self-defense and, accordingly, as a deed which every man of character would have done in my place in the same manner. You, too, Excellency, could not act differently if the fate of the Italians would be at stake. As Fuehrer and national socialist I could not do otherwise.
2. In an hour critical for Italy, I have proved to you the firmness of my sympathy. Do not doubt that not the least will be changed about this is in the future.
3. Whatever the consequences of the coming events may be, I have drawn a clear borderline against France and am now drawing an equally clear one against Italy. This border is the Brenner. This decision will never be doubted or attacked. I did not decide this in 1938, but immediately after the world war, and I never made a secret out of it.
Letter to Mussolini on German-Austrian relations, disorder in Austria, and Hitler's decision to intervene there
Authors
Adolf Hitler (Fuehrer, Reich Chancellor, Supeme Commander of Wehrmacht)
Adolf Hitler
Austrian nationalized German politician, leader of the National Socialist party and dictator of Germany (1889-1945)
- Born: 1889-01-01 1889-04-20 (Braunau am Inn) (country: Austria-Hungary; located in the administrative territorial entity: Archduchy of Austria above the Enns; statement is subject of: Adolf-Hitler-Geburtshaus)
- Died: 1945-04-30 (Berlin Führerbunker) (country: Nazi Germany; located in the administrative territorial entity: Berlin; statement is subject of: death of Adolf Hitler)
- Country of citizenship: Cisleithania (period: 1889-04-20 through 1918-11-11); First Republic of Austria (period: 1919-01-01 through 1925-04-30); Nazi Germany (end cause: death of Adolf Hitler; period: 1933-01-30 through 1945-04-30); Republic of German-Austria (period: 1918-01-01 through 1919-01-01)
- Occupation: painter (statement is subject of: paintings by Adolf Hitler); political writer; politician (reason for preferred rank: generally used form); soldier
- Member of political party: German Workers' Party (period: 1919-09-12 through 1921-07-11); Nazi Party (series ordinal: 556)
- Member of: Nazi Party
- Participant in: Aktion T4; Beer Hall Putsch; The Holocaust; ethnic cleansing
- Significant person: Albert Speer; Benito Mussolini; Eva Braun; Joseph Stalin
Documents of German Politics (Dokumente der Deutschen Politik, serial)
Date: 11 March 1938
Literal Title: Dokumente der Deutschen Politik Grossdeutschland 1938 . . . Letter from the Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor to Mussolini on the eve of 11 March 1938
Total Pages: 2
Language of Text: English
Source of Text: Nazi conspiracy and aggression (Office of United States Chief of Counsel for Prosecution of Axis Criminality. Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Printing Office, 1946.)
Evidence Code: PS-2510
Citation: IMT (page 579)
HLSL Item No.: 450722
Notes:The book of documents was published in 1939. This document was presented for judicial notice without an exhibit number.