Berlin, 8 January, 1938
To State Councillor Dr. Seyss-Inquart Vienna, Hof 5.
Through the Foreign Office
Very esteemed State Councillor.
Today I had a visit from Mr. PL, who gave us a report of the state of affairs and informed us, that you are seriously considering the question of whether or not you are forced, to hand back the mandate entrusted to you.
I informed General [Generaloberst] Goering of the situation in writing, and G. has just had me informed, that I should try my utmost to prevent you or any one else from taking this step. This is also in the same vein as G.'s conversation with Dr. J. before Christmas at any rate. G. requests you to undertake nothing of this nature under any circumstances before he himself has the opportunity of speaking with you once more.
I can also inform you, that G. is furthermore making an effort to speak to LI., in order that certain improper conditions be eliminated by him.
I am very sorry, that the situation has become so acute and I myself have the feeling, that the above-mentioned request is somewhat awkward for you at the present. However, I must tell you openly, that I really didn't expect any other attitude from G.
With the best wishes,
very truly yours (sig.) KEPPLER
115
Letter to Seyss-Inquart, stating that Goering does not want Seyss-Inquart to withdraw from "the mandate entrusted" to him and that Goering will try to improve the situation
Authors
Wilhelm Keppler (NSDAP economic office; agent in Vienna (1938))
Wilhelm Keppler
businessman; Reich Commisionner (1882-1960)
- Born: 1882-12-14 (Heidelberg)
- Died: 1960-06-13 (Friedrichshafen)
- Country of citizenship: German Empire; Germany; Nazi Germany; Weimar Republic
- Occupation: engineer; entrepreneur; politician
- Member of political party: Nazi Party
- Member of: Schutzstaffel
- Military branch: Schutzstaffel
- Position held: Reichskommissar (period: 1938-01-01 through 1939-01-01); member of the Reichstag of Nazi Germany; member of the Reichstag of the Weimar Republic
Date: 08 January 1938
Defendant: Arthur Seyss-Inquart
Total Pages: 1
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-3397
Citation: IMT (page 2829)
HLSL Item No.: 453268
Notes:The nature of the "mandate" is not stated here, but document PS 3473 suggests that it was his assignment to pursue German-Nazi political goals in Austria.
Document Summary
PS-3397: Letter Keppler to Seyss-Inquart through the Foreign Office showing Seyss-Inquartz relations with Germany prior to the Anschluss
PS-3397: Letter from Keppler to Seyss-inquart, 8 January 1938: Goring does not wish Seyss-inquart to relinquish the Commission entrusted to him
PS-3397: Signed Letter from Keppler to State Counselor, Dr. Seyss-Inquart, dated 8 January 1938. Keppler states that he has informed Goering concerning the difficulties that he (Seyss-Inquart) is encountering. Keppler advises Seyss-Inquart not to take any steps before having talked to Goering.