Chapter CXXI: Section 7: of the Prussian law concerning the Secret State Police of (3)

Of course, one should first of all explore the possibility of setting Schuschnig against Starhemberg through the use of “Go-betweens”. The possibility exists. If Mr. Schuschnig will finally say “no” and makes our offer known in Rome, then the situation would not be any worse by that; but, on the contrary, the efforts of the Reich government to make peace with Austria would be revealed--without prejudice to other interests. Therefore even in the case of refusal this last attempt would be an asset. I consider it completely possible, that in view of the far spread dislike of the Alpine countries of the pro-Italian course and in view of the sharp tensions within the federal government [Bundesregierung], Mr. Schuschnig will grasp this last straw--always under the supposition that the offer could not be interpreted as a trap by the opponents, but that it bears all the mark of an actually honest compromise with Austria.

Assuming success of this step, we would again establish our active intervention in Central European politics, which, as opposed to the French-Czech and Russian political maneuvers, would be a tremendous success, both morally and practically.

Since there are 2 weeks left to accomplish very much work in the way of explorations and Conferences, an immediate decision is necessary.

The Reich Army Minister shares the opinion presented above and the Reich Foreign Minister wanted to discuss it with you, my Fuehrer.

(signed) Papen.

PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 2248-PS

The Extraordinary Emissary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the German
Reich in Special Mission.

Vienna, July 27, 1935.

To the Fuehrer and Chancellor
_BERLIN_
by courier.

Contents:
One year after the death of the Bundeskanzler Dollfuss.
Review and Outlook.

* * * * * * *

It seems to me to be expedient to use this incident ourselves also to draw the balance.

* * * * * * *

National Socialism must and will overpower the new Austrian ideology. If today it is contended in Austria that the NSDAP is only a centralized Reich German party and therefore unable to transfer the spirit of thought of National Socialism to groups of people of a different political make-up, the answer must rightly be that the national revolution in Germany could not have been brought about in a different way. But when the creation of the people’s community in the Reich will be completed, National socialism could, in a much wider sense than this is possible through the present party organization--at least apparently--certainly become the rallying point for all racially German units beyond the borders. Spiritual progress in regard to Austria cannot be achieved today with any centralized tendency. If this recognition would once and for all be stated clearly from within the Reich, then it would easily become possible to effect a break-through into the front of the New Austria. A Nurnberg Party Day designated as “The German Day” as in old times and the proclamation of a national socialistic people’s front, would be a stirring event for all beyond the borders of the Reich. Such attacks would win us also the particularistic Austrian circles, whose spokesman, the legitimistic Count Dubsky wrote in his pamphlet about the “Anschluss”: The Third Reich will be with Austria, or it will not be at all. National Socialism must win it or it will perish, if it is unable to solve this task; * * *

(signed) Papen.

PARTIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 2260-PS

SETTLEMENT OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NSDAP AND STAHLHELM (STEEL HELMETS)

From Page 1, Issue 422, 21 June 1933, of “NSK” National Socialist
Party Press Agency [NSK, Pressedienst der NSDAP, the official news
agency of the NSDAP]. Edited by Wilhelm Weiss. Responsible for
communications of the Reich Press Office Dr. Otto Dietrich, Reich
Press Chief. Published by Franz Eher Successor, Munich.

NSK The Reich Press Office of the NSDAP informs us:

The following agreement was reached in a conference that took place today between the Reich Chancellor, the Reich Labor Minister Seldte, the Reich War Minister and the Vice-Chancellor:

To ensure the striking power of the National Socialist revolution the Stahlhelm, League of front-line Soldiers [Bund der Frontsoldaten], integrates itself into the National Socialist movement in the following manner:

_a._ The Old-Guard Nucleus of the Stahlhelm [Kernstahlhelm] remains, as heretofore, under the leadership of the League Leader.

_b._ The League Leader prohibits, as of now, any party membership except that in the NSDAP to members of the Old-Guard Nucleus of the Stahlhelm.

_c._ The leader of the NSDAP, Adolf Hitler, thus permits membership in the Stahlhelm for the NSDAP.

_d._ The Stahlhelm Youth [Jungstahlhelm] takes its place side by side with the SA and SS, and is subordinate to the Supreme SA Leader [Obersten SA-Fuehrer]. The “Scharnhorst” will be integrated into the Hitler Youth.

_e._ The leader of the Stahlhelm Youth [Jungstahlhelm] von Morozowicz, joins the staff of the Supreme SA Leader.

Berlin, 21 June 1933.

Adolf Hitler
Franz Seldte

TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENT 2261-PS

TOP SECRET

Copy

The Reich Minister of War and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces

No. 1820/35 Top Secret L. II a

Berlin, 24 June 1935

To

The Supreme Commander of the Army
The Supreme Commander of the Navy
The Supreme Commander of the Air Forces

In the appendix I transmit one copy each of the law for the defense of the Reich of the 21 May 1935 and of a decision of the Reichs Cabinet of 21 May 1935 concerning the Reich’s defense council. The publication of the Reich’s defense law is temporarily suspended by order of the Fuehrer and Reichschancellor.

The Fuehrer and Reichschancellor has nominated the President of the directorate of the Reichsbank Dr. Schacht to be “plenipotentiary-general for war economy”.

I request that the copies of the Reich defense law needed within the units of the armed forces be ordered before 1 July 1935 at armed forces office (L) where it is to be established with the request that the law should only be distributed down to Corps Headquarters outside of the Reichministry of war.

I point out the necessity of strictest secrecy once more.

(signed) von Blomberg.

# # # # #

No. 1820/35 L Top Secret II a Berlin, 3 Sept 1935
To _Defense--Economic Group G-3_
transmitted (copy)
(signed) Jodl

# # # # #

Copy

Reich Defense Law of 21 May 1935

The Reich Cabinet has enacted the following law that is hereby made public: