Messersmith, G.S., Vienna. To William Phillips, Washington.

Date
1935-11-05
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
New Minister of Social Welfare, [Josef] Dobretsberger, indicated in speech that Austrian Government may seek reconciliation with Social Democrats; news welcomed in England; Dobretsberger backed by Chancellor, but will be opposed by [Ernst] von Starhemberg in view of strong Heimwehr attitude against Social Democrats, shared by von Starhemberg; [Emil] Fey, ousted Minister of Interior, and von Starhemberg have talked things over and apparently patched up differences; all deposed Ministers and Secretaries have been given comfortable berths by new Cabinet; foreign press carries reports that von Starhemberg sending emissaries to [Crown Prince] Otto in Belgium and that agreement has been reached regarding restoration; thinks these reports without foundation; concern felt regarding English and French attitude toward new Cabinet; Government will be sending financial experts to London soon to talk on Credit Anstalt matters and fears embarrassing questions may be asked about Austria's budget and plans of new Finance Minister; English-French cooperation proceeding; English making tremendous preparations in Mediterranean; important English visitor to Vienna recently called at German Legation and talked with Baron von Ketteler, [Franz] von Papen's mouthpiece, who told him that Hitler desired German-English rapprochement, that Austria was only a pawn in the bigger game; English-French agreement already having effect; Poland wavering again; Goering, in Saarbrucken speech made appeal for cooperation with France, insisting Germany had no designs on Alsace and Lorraine; Hungary now concerned over effect of her attitude on sanctions in Geneva; process of expropriating property of Jews and others in Germany proceeding rapidly; [Alexander] Kipnis, American tenor and last Jew left in Berlin Opera, now out; much internal struggle within Nazi Party; some groups within Party thought if [Josef] Goebbels and [Julius] Streicher are eliminated, England, France, and U.S. will accept the present regime; they do not realize it is a question of disappearance of Nazi ideology rather than a few exponents of it; saw report of press conference in Ministry of Propaganda in Berlin recently; newsmen, were told they must not mention fortifications erected in demilitarized zone, the Esser scandal, or German territorial demands.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.
Citation