Messersmith; G.S., Vienna. To William Phillips, Washington.
Date
1935-10-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Actual hostilities in Abyssinia started yesterday; conflict may be kept localized in Abyssinia; Italian pressure on Austria to leave League if Italy does; Foreign Minister says Austria will not leave League, but will not join in League sanctions; Austria grateful to Italy for past support, but would rather depend on France and England; French, English, and Czech colleagues in Austria understand delicacy of Austrian situation; Foreign Minister sensed while in Geneva strong feeling that present opportunity should be seized to get rid of authoritarian governments in Italy and Germany; Austrian government not a dictatorial regime such as Italian or German but it is a form of authoritarian government not based on elections, and Austrian leaders no doubt nervous; how definite Anglo-French cooperation will be still not clear; informed circles believe Germany will not act without assurance of success, which she does not yet have; meantime she is doing all possible to stir up trouble in undercover way - suggesting division of Czechoslovakia, Bohemia to go to Germany, Slovakia to Hungary, and Teschen to Poland, suggesting formation of new government in Austria to include some so called "nationally minded" people, offering separate treaties of friendship to France, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Poland; only Poland accepted; Poland playing dangerous role.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.