Throughout 1937, the Austrian Nazis stepped up their terrorist activities with the funding and instigation of Berlin. Explosions occurred somewhere in Austria almost every day. In some mountainous provinces, the Nazis continued to hold large-scale demonstrations, and
They often turned into riots, constantly weakening the status of Austrian local government.
Some reports unearthed by the Austrian government even indicate that Nazi thugs are preparing to kill the current Chancellor Dr. Schuschnigg, just like they killed his predecessor Chancellor Dollfuss.
On January 25, 1938, the Vienna police searched a Nazi group called the "Committee of Seven" and raided their offices. The police found a secret plan signed by Hitler's representative Rudolf Hess.
This plan showed that the Austrian Nazis would launch an open rebellion in the spring of 1938. If Schuschnigg suppressed it, the German army would move into Austria to "prevent internal bleeding among the Germans."
The plan also included a document inciting local Nazis in Vienna to assassinate Lieutenant General Moff, the German military attaché in Austria, in order to create an excuse for German intervention.
It turns out that Austria's protector was Italy, but since the establishment of the Berlin-Rome axis, Mussolini became less concerned about maintaining Austria's independence and kept close to Hitler all day long. Obviously this was an important reason for Hitler's confidence.
Recently, British Prime Minister Chamberlain also declared that if Germany occupied Austria, Austria would not be able to count on help from other major powers. Bullitt, the U.S. ambassador to France, also informed Germany that Washington "completely understands" Germany's plan to change the map of Europe. France also stated that it has no intention
Interfere in Austrian affairs.
On February 11, Austrian Prime Minister Dr. Schuschnigg accepted Hitler's invitation to go to Berchtesgaden for talks with Hitler to resolve "misunderstandings and differences between the two countries." It can be said that Schuschnigg was very pessimistic.
He went there with a sense of luck. He planned to make every effort to save Austria's independence. If necessary, he could meet all Hitler's conditions, as long as he promised to respect Austria's independence.
But in Hitler's mountain villa in Berchtesgaden, the gentle Dr. Schuschnigg was threatened and intimidated by the "rough Austrian corporal" who banged the table and the bench.
"I tell you again," Hitler, wearing a brown stormtrooper uniform and a bright red swastika armband, pounded the table and stared at Schuschnigg and roared, "Things cannot continue like this! The entire history of Austria
Just constant betrayal! It was like this in the past, and it is no better now! This situation must end, and now is the time! For a long time, you, Mr. Schuschnigg, have always tried to avoid adopting friendly policies! Schuschnigg
Mr. Ge, I can tell you now that I have made up my mind to put an end to this! Germany is a big country, and if it solves its border problem, no one will stand against it!"
This was the first time that Schuschnigg saw Hitler. He was almost stunned by this hysterical attack. How could a head of state be so careless about politeness and act like a madman in such a formal meeting? Even basic basics
Politeness too...
Schuschnigg told himself: Try to maintain a conciliatory attitude while standing firm. He finally waited for Hitler to have an opening and said weakly:
"Mr. Chancellor... Regarding Austria's role in German history... I may have different views from you on this issue... Austria's contribution in this area is quite large... For example..."
"It's completely equal to zero." Hitler interrupted him and said coldly, "I tell you, it's completely equal to zero. Throughout history, the entire idea of German nationalism has been destroyed by Austria."
"But, Mr. Chancellor," Schuschnigg insisted, "many of the overall achievements of German culture cannot be separated from Austria's cultural contribution...For example, Beethoven, such a..."
"Oh? Beethoven?" Hitler mocked, "Let me tell you, Beethoven was born in the Lower Rhineland. He is a German."
Schuschnigg blushed, but still insisted:
"However, Austria is the place where he lived and the place that gave him success...Germany gave birth to Beethoven, and Austria made Beethoven...the same goes for many other people..."
Hitler was impatient. He obviously didn't want to get entangled with Schuschnigg anymore on such trivial matters. He waved his hand and said firmly:
"Maybe so. I tell you, things can't continue like this... I have a historical mission, and this mission will be fulfilled by me, because God has destined me to do this. Anyone who disagrees with me will
To be destroyed... I chose the most difficult path that any German has ever taken. I have achieved the greatest achievement in German history, greater than any German, and not by force of arms. I tell you
, I am filled with love for my people.”
"Mr. Chancellor..." Schuschnigg said dryly, "I would like to believe this."
After "talking" like this for almost an hour, Schuschnigg was forced to have no choice but to ask Hitler to tell him everything he was dissatisfied with. Schuschnigg said almost begging:
"Mr. Prime Minister, let us do everything possible to clear the way to a better understanding... as long as that is possible..."
Hitler immediately said:
"That's what you said, Herr Schuschnigg... I tell you, I want to solve the Austrian problem, no matter what method I use."
"But..." Schuschnigg asked weakly, "What exactly does this 'Austrian question' refer to?"
Hitler stared, started to roar, and yelled a lot about Austria building fortifications on the border. He was absolutely sure that this was Austria's premeditated plan to deal with Germany.
But Schuschnigg immediately denied this.
Hitler banged the table and roared:
"Listen! Do you really think you can move a stone in Austria and I won't know about it the next day? I'm telling you, all your ridiculous fortifications will be blown to smithereens at my command! You
Do you really think you can stop me for half an hour? I tell you, Mr. Prime Minister, after my Wehrmacht troops move in, my stormtroopers and the Austrian Army will also move in, and they will retaliate! No one can stop their legitimate revenge.
, not even I can stop it! ... But I am very unwilling to see Austria suffer this fate. Because such an action means bloodshed, the blood of the Germans themselves!
"Herr Schuschnigg, don't think for a moment that anyone in the world can make me give up my decision! Italy? Mussolini is with me. England? England will not lift a finger for Austria.
! France?... When I marched into the Rhineland two years ago, France could have stopped me. France could have stopped me easily then, then I would have had to order the Germans back! But now? It's too late!…
...Ming Guo? You have also seen that Ming Guo is not only a close ally of Germany, but I am sure that they will openly support me on this matter! The United States? The United States just tied itself to Ming Guo for a few dollars.
Already...
"Mr. Schuschnigg, I give you once again and the last chance to negotiate terms. If we can't find a solution to the problem now, everything will be irreversible... Think about it, Schuschnigg."
Mr. Ge, think about it carefully. I can only wait until this afternoon. After this afternoon, you can only blame yourself."
"But..." Schuschnigg asked weakly again, "What are Mr. Prime Minister's conditions?"