DOCUMENTS OF THE ORIGIN OF WAR [Dokumente zur Vorgeschichte des Krieges Auswärtiges Amt], 1939, Number 2, Page 324.
No. 337
The State Secretary of the German Foreign Office to the German Diplomatie Representatives Order
Berlin, 28 April 1938
As a consequence of the reunion of Austria with the Reich, we have now new frontiers with Italy, Yugoslavia, Switzerland,
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Liechtenstein, and Hungary. These frontiers are regarded by us as final and inviolable. On this point the following special declarations have been made:
1. Italy. The Fuehrer and Chancellor in his Reichstag Speech of 18 March 1938 referred to the letter he had addressed to Signor Mussolini on 11 March 1938, and pointed out that he had assured Signor Mussolini in it "that in the German attitude towards Italy after this event not only will there be no change, but Germany will recognize the then existing frontiers with Italy as final, as she does the frontiers with France."
In the same Reichstag Speech the Fuehrer also made the following declarations: "We know what Mussolini's attitude has meant for Germany in these days. The consolidation of relations between Italy and Germany, if such a thing was still possible, is now an established fact. What was a bond based on our common political outlook and interests has become for us Germans as indissoluble friendship. For us, the territory and the frontiers of this our friend are inviolable. I repeat that I shall never forget this attitude of Mussolini's! I want the Italian people to know that my word is backed by the German nation!"
2. Switzerland. On 14 March the German Minister at Berne reminded Federal Councillor Motta of the assurance made respecting the independence and inviolability of Switzerland which, when assuming office, the Minister had been empowered by the Fuehrer and Chancellor to transmit to 'Herr Motta. In effect these assurances amounted to a repetition of the well-known declaration by the Fuehrer and Chancellor, made to Herr Schulthess, former Federal Councillor, on 23 February 1937, the gist of which is contained in the sentence: "Come what may, we shall always respect Switzerland's inviolability and neutrality." On 15 March, the Swiss Government brought these statements made to Herr Motta by the German Minister to the knowledge of the Swiss Press, which then published them throughout, though in some eases not quite accurately.
3. Yugoslavia. The Yugoslav Government have been informed by authoritative German quarters that German policy has no aims beyond Austria, and that the Yugoslav frontier would in any case remain untouched. In his speech made at Graz on 3 April, the Fuehrer and Chancellor stated that, in regard to the re-union of Austria, Yugoslavia, and Hungary had adopted the same attitude as Italy. We were happy to have frontiers there which relieved us of all anxiety about providing military protection for them.
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The Hungarian Government have been informed by our Minister at Budapest that the declarations made to Italy, Yugoslavia, and Switzerland concerning the new frontiers were, of course, equally valid for the new German-Hungarian frontier. In his speech made before the Foreign Committees of the House of Deputies and the Upper House, on 23 March, M. Kanya, the Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs, pointed out, with our concurrence, that the Government of the Reich had allowed no doubt whatever to remain that they considered the present German-Hungarian frontier just as inviolable as the German frontiers with Yugoslavia, Italy, and Switzerland.
Circular message to German diplomats, confirming that the German government regards the borders with Italy, Yugoslavia, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Hungary as "final and inviolable"
Date: 28 April 1938
Literal Title: Documents of the Origin of War No. 337[.] The State Secretary of the German Foreign Office to the German Diplomatic Representatives[.] Order
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-2719
Citation: IMT (page 1127)
HLSL Item No.: 450883
Document Summary
PS-2719: German Assurance to Yugoslavia; official announcement by German Foreign Office, dated 28 April 1938, to German Diplomatic Representatives, published in Documents of the Origin of the War, 1939, No. 2, Page 324.