Message to von Neurath (11 March 1938) stating the British government's protest against Germany's ultimatum to the Austrian government, and a letter to Lord Halifax on the delivery of the protest (12 March 1938)

British Embassy, BERLIN.
12th March, 1938.
My Lord,
With reference to your telegram No. 79 of March 11th, I have the honour to transmit to Your Lordship herewith a copy of a letter which I addressed to Baron von Neurath in accordance with the instructions contained therein and which was delivered on the same evening.
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3045-PS
2. The French Ambassador addressed a similar letter to Baron von Neurath 'at the same time.
I have the honour to be, with the highest respect,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient
humble Servant,
NEVILLE HENDERSON. „ ,.
The Right Honourable
Viscount Halifax, K.G., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E.,
etc., etc., etc.
NOTE FROM SIR NEVILLE HENDERSON TO VON NEURATH
t-. D . , i Hth March 1938
Dear Reich Minister,
My Government are informed that a German ultimatum was delivered this afternoon at Vienna demanding, inter alia, the resignation of the Chancellor and his replacement by the Minister of the Interior, a new Cabinet of which two-thirds of the members were to be National Socialists, and the re-admission of the Austrian Legion to the country with the duty of keeping order in Vienna.
I am instructed by my Government to represent immediately to the German Government that if this report is correct H.M.G. in the U.K. feel bound to register a protest in the strongest terms against such use of coercion backed by force against an independent State in order to create a situation incompatible with its national independence.
As the German Minister for Foreign Affairs has already been informed in London such action is bound to produce the greatest reactions of which it is impossible to foretell the issues.
Yours sincerely, for the Ambassador
' I. A. KIRKPATRICK