Hathaway, Charles M., Jr., Consul General, Munich. To Ambassador William E. Dodd, Berlin.
Date
1934-08-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Hitler in Bayreuth when news came through of Dollfuss' murder and remained there; Hitler reported to have told friend that Mussolini had advised him to leave Austria alone; Hitler's dilemma - if he doesn't go ahead with plans for Austria he loses prestige with National Socialist Party and if he does he rouses the ire of Italy, France, and Britain, whom he is not yet ready to tackle; Austrian government proceeding slowly with trials of arrested men; government wishes to gather as much evidence as possible about others involved in plot, particularly German participation; Hitler already making effort to appease by recalling [Karl] Rieth from Vienna and replacing him with [Franz] von Papen; von Papen's task (1) by intervention, save as many of Hitler's Austrian followers as possible from being shot (2) coax Austria into allowing Austrian Legionaries and other fugitives to return to Austria and (3) devise some new form of organization into which former Nazis can be taken since Nazis have now been outlawed in Austria.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.