Messersmith, G.S., Vienna. To Secretary of State [Cordell Hull], Washington.
Date
1936-10-23
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Dissolution of para-military organizations went through without disturbance; arms turned over to Army and militia; Chancellor made speech on Oct. 17 which was model of political sagacity and did much to appease [Ernst] von Starhemberg and other Heimwehr leaders; demonstration by large gathering of Patriotic Front showed increased strength of Government; Dr. [Viktor] Kienböck, President of National Bank, states Austria will not devaluate unless forced to by outside developments; question now closed until January; meeting of Foreign Ministers of Rome Protocol States now scheduled for Nov. 12 and 13; [Galeazzo] Ciano now in Berlin; English papers saying Ciano may make bargain in Berlin over Austria; doubts this possibility at present; preliminary to Vienna meeting Ciano will see [Guido] Schmidt, after which Schmidt will go to Budapest; after Rome Protocol meeting Schmidt will go to Berlin; no significance to Berlin visit except sop to Hitler, who has been pressing [Kurt] Schuschnigg to visit him; Austrians concerned about Rome-London relations; some indication that England will make financial concessions to Italy; England making up with vigorous armament program for mistakes made in past; British and French lack of action has had effect of building up Italian position; obstacles to Berlin-Rome cooperation are mutual distrust and opposing interests in Central and Southeastern Europe, but they are moving closer together; Germany wishes Italian support in isolating Russia, which will weaken England and France; impossible for League in present form to settle European problems and reorganization now would have to be made on German-Italian conditions; if [Léon] Blum Government can hold on in France and assume more middle course, France can reassert herself; recent Belgian action [in breaking up Franco-Belgian Military Alliance] was bound to happen because of Flemish faction, but unfortunate just now; head of Economic Section of British Foreign Office, in Vienna last week, said there could be no peace until German economy was put on sound basis, but England could not risk helping Germany for it would only strengthen her to reach her objectives against England; new Hungarian premier, [Koloman de] Daranyi, far better man than [Julius de] Goemboes and his Government will probably follow wiser course, though German influence will remain strong; [Hermann] Goering made Price Controller in Germany, an indication of serious economic situation; church struggle again becoming acute in Germany, and [Julius] Streicher stirring up further action against Jews; wife of German friend, visiting in Vienna, confided that her husband, who had been code expert during war, had been called to Berlin to devise new set of codes for German government; Berlin will make every effort to sabotage Vienna meeting, and Rome may soft pedal action in Central Europe to keep from antagonizing Berlin; Germany now convinced she will get no financial or political assistance from England, though [Joachim von] Ribbentrop continues to try; nor has Germany been able to drive wedge between England and France; [Franz] von Papen instructed his Counselor at German Legation to attend Chancellor's speech on Oct. 17 and then left for hunting trip; Counselor had misgivings and telephoned von Papen for further instructions; von Papen suggested he ask [Josef] Leopold, Party representative at the Legation, which shows who's boss at the German Legation; same situation exists in Italian Legation, where the Press Attaché, [Eugenio] Morreale is the real authority.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.