860F.00/756
The German Chargé (Thomsen) to the
Secretary of State
[Translation]
Washington, March 17,
1939.
Mr. Secretary of State: By direction of the
German Government, I have the honor to notify the Government of the
United States of America of the following decree of March 16 of the
Government of the Reich on the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia:84
- “Article 1. The areas of the former
Czechoslovak Republic occupied by German troops belong from
now on to the domain of the Greater German Reich and come
under its protection as the Protectorate of Bohemia and
Moravia.
- “Article 2. The German inhabitants
of the Protectorate become nationals and, under the
provisions of the Reich Citizens Law of September 1935,
citizens of the Reich. With respect to them, therefore, the
provisions for the protection of the German blood and the
German honor also apply. They are subject to the
jurisdiction of German courts. The other inhabitants become
nationals of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.
- “Article 3. The Protectorate is
autonomous and administers its own affairs. It exercises its
rights of sovereignty granted it within the framework of the
Protectorate in harmony with the political, military and
economic requirements of the Reich. The rights of
sovereignty will be exercised by its own organs and its own
authorities with officials of its own.
- “Article 4. The head of the
autonomous government of the Protectorate enjoys the
protection and the honors of the head of a state. The head
of the Protectorate must have the confidence of the Fuehrer
and Chancelor of the Reich for the exercise of his
office.
- “Article 5. As protector of the
interests of the Reich, the Fuehrer and Chancelor of the
Reich appoints the Reich Protector in Bohemia and Moravia,
whose seat is Prague. The Reich Protector has the duty of
seeing to the observance of the political policies of the
Fuehrer and Chancelor of the Reich. The members of the
Protectorate government are confirmed by the Reich
Protector. The latter is empowered to have himself informed
regarding all measures of the government of the Protectorate
and to give it advice. He may veto measures capable of
injuring the Reich, and in case there is danger in delay, he
may take the measures necessary for the common interest. The
promulgation of laws, regulations and other legal
prescriptions, as well as the execution of administrative
measures and court orders having the force of law is to be
suspended if the Reich Protector interposes a veto.
- “Article 6. The Reich takes charge
of the foreign affairs of the Protectorate, and in
particular of the protection of its nationals in foreign
countries. The Reich will conduct foreign affairs in
accordance with the common interests. The Protectorate is
given a representative near the Reich Government with the
official designation of Minister.
- “Article 7. The Reich grants
military protection to the Protectorate. In the exercise of
this protection, the Reich maintains garrisons and military
establishments in the Protectorate. For maintaining internal
security and order, the Protectorate may organize its own
units. Their organization, strength, number and armament are
determined by the Government of the Reich.
- “Article 8. The Reich exercises
direct supervision over transportation, mail and
telecommunications.
- “Article 9. The Protectorate
belongs to the customs territory of the Reich and is under
its customs sovereignty.
- “Article 10. Until further notice,
the crown is legal tender together with the Reichsmark. The
relation of the two currencies to each other is determined
by the Reich Government.
- “Article 11. The Reich can issue
legal regulations valid for the Protectorate, in so far as
the common interests so require. In so far as a common need
exists, the Reich can transfer administrative branches to
its own administration and provide the officials belonging
to the Reich who are needed therefor. The Government of the
Reich can take the measures necessary for the maintenance of
security and order.
- “Article 12. The law now in effect
in Bohemia and Moravia remains in force, in so far as it
does not contradict the sense of the assumption of
protection by the German Reich.
- “Article 13. The Reich Minister of
the Interior issues, in agreement with the Reich Ministers
concerned, the legal and administrative regulations
necessary for the execution and supplementing of this
decree.”
Under Article 6 of this decree the German Reich takes charge of the
foreign affairs of the Protectorate, in particular, of the protection of
its nationals in foreign countries. The former diplomatic
representatives of Czechoslovakia in foreign countries are no longer
qualified for official acts.
Accept [etc.]
