Evening star., 1938-03-14
D|PL0MACY0F us.
AFFECTED BY COUP
Hull Declines Comment on
Closing Legation in
Austria.
81 the Associated Press.

Ey the Associated Press.
American diplomatic relations with
Austria will undergo a fundamental
change, informed observers said to-
day, as result of Austrias union
with Germany.
The American Legation in Vienna
probably will be converted into
consulate, headed by consul gen.
eral instead of Minister
Here, the Austrian Minister, Ed
car L. G. Prochnik, was awaiting off,
cial instruction. but legation attaches
said officially his duties probably
would be taken over by the German
Embassy.
Secretary of State Cordell Hull de-
clined to comment on any phase of
the Austrian situation. He told re.
porters at his regular press confer
ence that conditions were developing
50 rapidly in that part Of the world
that any discussion now would be en-
tirely too theoretical to be Of value.
He reiterated this position when
asked specifically if it might be neces-
tion in Vienna. He said this Govern
ment had received no official notifica-
tion from Germany Of its conquest OF
Austria as yet
No Minister at Present.
The United States has not had a
Minister in Vienna for six months,
because of the death of Minister
10
fairs in Austria are handled at pres
ent by Charge dAffaires John c.
Wiley. who is expected to become the
consul general.
Diplomatic matters concerning Aus
tria would be placed in charge of
Hugh Wilson, Ambassad dor to Ger
many. who formerly was Assistant
Secretary of State
The State Department was keeping
An attitude of non-interference to-
ward Germany's occupation of Aus
trla. officials pointed out that the
British, German and French Ambas-
sadors who visited Secretary Hull
Saturday with regard to Austria's
collapse did so of their own initi-
ative.
4. s. to Recognize Fact.
Observers said the changing Of the
American Legation to a consultation
would not involve the United States
take over Austria.
1t would be merely a recognition
ot fact-that Austria had become a
part OF Germany and no longer had
a foreign policy of its own.
After Italy seized Ethiopia the
United States closed is legation in
Adds Ababa, thereby recognizing the
collapse of Ethiopia without recog-
nlzlng the justice of Italy's cause or
the new Italian Ethiopian empire
The State Department will have
another problem in determining the
status of Austrias postwar debt to
the United States. The original figure
was s24055,708, made up of relief
supplies furnished after the armistice.
Prochnik Expected to Stay.
Mr.. Prochnik has been Minister
to the United States since 1925. His
wife is an American and it is as
sutltu Eel1eTdliN LQdt ne Will continue
to reside in this country.
Before becoming Minister he served
his country in other posts in the
United States. He was Vice Consul
at Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Chicago;
Consul at st. Paul and Charge DAT
fares here. In 1909 he married Nav
Ratchelder of Chicago, who died in
1912, and in 1915 married Gretchen
Stirling James of Boston.
He is a Catholic and is popular in
diplomatic and social circles here.
Split With Reich Urged.
Representative OToole, Democrat,
ct New York said last night the United
States should sever diplomatic rela-
tlons with Germany and call a con-
ference of democratic nations on re-
storing Austria's independence.
O'Toole. who said he would address
the House today on this subject. as
serted that Chancellor Hitler's sending
troops into Austria was "a more in
famous piece of work than his nations
betrayal and invasion Of Belgium"
Senator Schwellenbach, Democrat,
of Washington. in a broadcast address,
said the Austrian developments demon
strated the futility of contracts or
treaties with dictator nations"