Messersmith, G.S., Vienna. To William Phillips, Washington.
Date
1935-07-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
European situation developing unfavorably; Abyssinian question top news at present, but major issue in Europe still hinges on Austria; Vienna capital of only a small country but is a crossroads where one meets people from all countries of Europe and is able to get good picture of what is happening all around; Poland's internal situation better than formerly, but in foreign policy she is still straddling fence; Czechoslovakian internal situation not happy and economic problems causing increasing concern; she has had to revalue her currency twice; Czech political problems complicated by recent election of pro-German Henlein group; Czechoslovakia can be depended on to stick closely to Little Entente and to France; in Hungary situation remains stable with [Julius] Goemboes government firmly entrenched, but unnatural cooperation between [Stefan] Bethlen and [Tibor] Eckhardt a factor to be considered; Hungarian government pro-German, but distrustful of Hitler regime; Hungary sympathetic with Austria, but avoids definite commitments; revision for the present pushed into background,but remains principal objective in Hungarian foreign policy; was in Budapest recently and talked with [Hans Georg] von Mackensen, German Minister there; von Mackensen not a Nazi, but very much an instrument of the Nazi regime; developments in Yugoslavia in right direction; new Cabinet opened way to conciliation within country and relations with Italy better; Turkey taking advantage of confusion in general European situation to use Straits for bargaining purposes; internal political and financial situation of France cause for concern; in case of German aggression, doubtful that France would be able to move; despite Italy's financial weakness, Mussolini determined to carry through Abyssinian venture even if it means war; French-Italian military cooperation in case of German aggression against Austria can be expected; similar naval cooperation in Mediterranean only a threat, but something England could not face with complacency; England, holding key to European situation, following policy clear to no one; that she should act slowly understandable, considering her great responsibilities and strong public opinion at home that England should not intervene in Continental affairs; strange that Abyssinia should arouse widespread indignation in England when Austria's plight should be of more concern; Holland, Switzerland, and Scandinavian countries want to stay neutral in case of war; they do not like present German regime, but try to keep on friendly terms with it; German policy, both internal and external remains unchanged since Nazis came into power; Party leaders continue to pursue radical political, social, and economic aims; a few radical Nazis removed from government because they fell out of favor, and a few non-Party members, such as [Hjalmar] Schacht and [Konstantin von] Neurath, have been kept on because not enough capable Party men to fill all high places; no country wants war, not even Germany at the moment, and barring accident war may be averted for a few months, or even a few years, but if present German regime stays in power, and if other European countries don't face this fact and take concerted action to see that a reasonable government is established in Germany, war is inevitable.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.