Hull Voices “serious Concern” over “austrian Incident” As Danger to Peace

The United States Government’s “serious concern” over the “Austrian incident” as a danger to world peace was voiced yesterday by Secretary of State Cordell Hull.

“The day before yesterday,” he said in a statement, “I discussed fully the principles governing peaceful, orderly international relations, and their application to present conditions in European and other world areas. The extent to which the Austrian incident, or any similar incident, is calculated to endanger maintenance of peace and preservation of the principles in which this Government believes is of course a matter of serious concern to the Government of the United States.”

A State Department release declared the Austrian situation “will necessitate, on the part of the Government of the United States, a number of technical steps, which are now being given appropriate consideration.”

German Ambassador Hans Dieckhoff has informed the State Department that he has assumed the functions of the Austrian Minister. Ex-Austrian Minister Edgar Prochnik on Thursday, according to the statement, said the Austrian Legation here has been abolished and its affairs taken over by the German Embassy.

Mr. Hull’s statement on Austria was interpreted in New York as “reluctant” acknowledgment of the fact of Germany’s annexation, although formal recognition was withheld. His reference to discussion of the principles of orderly international relations was to an address he made Thursday before the National Press Club, in which he denounced international banditry and treaty violation, without mentioning any state by name.