28 Nov. 45
which were simply a device by which the
Nazis in Austria could organize and later seek inclusion as a unit in
the Patriotic Front. The most important of these was the Union of the
East Mark,"--Ostmärkische Verein--"the sponsor of
which was the Minister of the Interior Glaise-Horstenau. Through the
influence of Glaise-Horstenau and pro-Nazi
Neustädter-Stürmer, this organization was declared legal by
the courts. I made specific mention of the foregoing because it shows
the degree to which the situation in Austria had disintegrated as a
result of the underground and open Nazi activities directed from
Germany."
At this point I offer in evidence Document 2246-PS as Exhibit
USA-67, a captured German document which is a report from Von Papen
to Hitler dated September 1, 1936. This document is most interesting
because it indicates Von Papen's strategy after July 11, 1936 for
destroying Austria's independence. Von Papen had taken a substantial
step forward with the agreement of July 11. It should be noted
incidentally, that after that agreement he was promoted from Minister
to Ambassador. Now his tactics were developed in the following
terms--I quote the last three paragraphs of his letter of September
1, 1936 to the Führer and Reich Chancellor. Those three
paragraphs are all joined as one paragraph in the English text:
"The progress of normalizing
relations with Germany at the present time is obstructed by the
continued persistence of the Ministry of Security, occupied by the
old anti National Socialistic officials. Changes in personnel are
therefore of utmost importance But they are definitely not to be
expected prior to the conference on the abolishing of the control of
finances at Geneva. The Chancellor of the League has informed
Minister Von Glaise-Horstenau of his intention to offer him the
portfolio of the Ministry of the Interior. As a guiding
principle"-Marschroute (a German word meaning the route of
march)-"I recommend on the tactical side, continued, patient,
psychological treatment, with slowly intensified pressure directed at
changing the regime. The proposed conference on economic relations,
taking place at the end of October, will be a very useful tool for
the realization of some of our projects. In discussion with
Government officials as well as with leaders of the illegal Party
(Leopold and Schattenfroh) who conform completely with the agreement
of 11 July I am trying to direct the next developments in such a
manner to aim at corporative representation of the movement in the
Fatherland Front, but nevertheless refraining from putting National
Socialists in important positions for