Affidavit concerning the Hitler-Schuschnigg meeting of February 1938, including Hitler's demands and threats of military occupation of Austria

Nürnberg, Germany 19 November, 1945
AFFIDAVIT
I, Kurt von Schuschnigg, being first duly sworn, depose and say as follows:
That at the beginning of the year 1938, Franz von Papen, the then special Ambassador of Germany in Vienna, Austria, mentioned for the first time to me, a precise proposal for me to meet Adolf Hitler at Berchtesgaden. Subsequently and following this first proposal made to me by Franz von Papen, we discussed the idea many times before I definitely made up my mind that I would accept an invitation to go to Berchtesgaden. I further state and say, that, during the latter part of January 1938, I informed von Papen that I was prepared to go to Berchtesgaden and discuss the differences and misunderstandings that had arisen regarding the execution of the agreement reached by and between our two Governments on July 11, 1936, providing that if I should go, the following three conditions must be guaranteed by Hitler:
1. I must be invited by Hitler.
2. I must prior to going to Berchtesgaden be precisely informed concerning the matters that would be discussed between Hitler and me, and I must be assured that the agreement of July 11, 1936, would be maintained.
3. Hitler must agree with me in advance about the main points of a communique that each of our two nations would publish at the end of our meeting, and, f urther, that this communique would again reiterate that the full maintenance of the July 11, 1936, Agreement would be observed by each of our two nations.
I further state that von Papen informed me that he would go immediately to Berchtesgaden and discuss with Hitler my demands and convey to me the reply of Hitler concerning them.
I further state that, during the first week of February 1938, von Papen again came to me and declared that he had had a discussion with Hitler at Berchtesgaden concerning my demands as set forth above, and that Hitler had authorized him, von Papen, to say—"Hitler invited you to a meeting at Berchtesgaden to discuss all the disagreements that have arisen as a result of the July 11, 1936, Agreement between our two nations". He further authorizes me to inform you that "the whole of the Agreement of July 11, 1936, between Austria and Germany, will be maintained and once more underlined". In regard to your demand concerning the communique, Hitler agrees to meet your request and further agrees that both parties shall issue simultaneously a communique
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containing the same text which will again affirm and quote the provisions of the July 11, 1936, Agreement". Von Papen then added, "Hitler further authorizes me to say to you that at any event, the political situation of Austria will in no wise be worse after the conference of Berchtesgaden than it is now". I further state and say that to conclude the talk between von Papen and me, we agreed and my office prepared a preliminary draft of the proposed communique, the final form of said communique to be completed in Berchtesgaden. Von Papen further informed me on that occasion that I would have "an opportunity to conclude a satisfactory agreement with Hitler, which opportunity would perhaps never be presented to me again, for Hitler has his difficulties in his own ranks and is occupied with some ideas in another direction, and he is therefore desirous of having no further troubles with Austria".
I furthermore state and depose that, on the evening of the 11th of February, 1938, I departed from Vienna accompanied by Secretary of State for Foreign matters, Guido Schmidt, and other members of my staff. During the night of 11 February, 1938, I remained in Salzburg. On the morning of 12 February, 1938, accompanied by Guido Schmidt, I departed from Salzburg for Berchtesgaden, and arrived at the border of Austria and Germany at about ten-thirty A.M. According to a former agreement by and between von Papen and my office, I was met at the border by Franz von Papen. Von Papen then and there informed me that I would have a very good speech with the Fuehrer. He further informed me that "the Fuehrer was in a very good mood today." Von Papen said that the Fuehrer had asked him, von Papen, to inquire of me if I had any objection that by chance some of his, Hitler's, Generals should be present at the Berghof. I inquired of von Papen, who those generals were whom Hitler had present at the Berghof and he, von Papen, replied, Keitel, Sperrle, and Reichenau. Without further conversation of special interest herein, von Papen and my party arrived at the Berghof.
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 ac-
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cusing me and menacing me as a traitor to Austrian politics. Especially he informed me that, according to his knowledge, Austria could no longer reckon 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"—
I further state and say that at this point there was a pause, or recess in the conversation and we had lunch. After lunch, I was allowed to confer with my Foreign Secretary, Guido Schmidt, at which time I informed Schmidt of my experience of the morning with Hitler. While I was conferring with Schmidt, he, Schmidt, informed me that he had learned that Dr. Kajetan Muhlmann was present at the Berghof, and was now having a discussion with Hitler. .
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 that I 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.
At this point in the conversation, I was summoned again before Hitler, but before going to him, I requested of my Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Guido Schmidt, that he attempt to reach some amendments',of the proposed demands made upon me by Hitler
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through Ribbentrop—his success was limited to a few unimportant points.
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 Hitler's 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 accompanied me and my party. Between the Berghof and Berchtesgaden, 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.
[signed] Kurt von Schuschnigg
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 19th day of November, 1945.
Curtis L. Williams
Colonel, IGD
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