Messersmith, G.S., Vienna. Despatch No. 960 to Secretary of State [Cordell Hull], Washington.
Date
1936-11-16
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Vienna Conference of Rome Protocol States met Nov. 11-12 under cloud of fear and distrust and little was accomplished; announced visit to Berlin of Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs [Guido] Schmidt to be before end of November; it is expected that German Foreign Minister Baron [Konstantin] von Neurath will return visit without delay; negotiations of Austro-German trade agreement to resume soon; difficulties in arriving at agreement satisfactory to both Germany and Austria are great; some indications that Austria is beginning to yield to German pressure; new Italian Minister in Vienna made light of Nazi activities in Austria; during Vienna Conference Chancellor [Kurt] Schuschnigg informed [Galeazzo] Ciano of increased German pressure and difficulty of Austrian government in resisting; Ciano said to have replied that Austria still had Italy's support; attended recently lecture by President of Bundestag before important business men; lecturer began by calling himself "an Austrian and a German", and stressed importance of cooperation with Germany; Austrian Foreign Office being reorganized; well known that Germany has considered the Austrian Foreign Office unfriendly; Minister of Interior [Eduard] Glaise-Horstenau in speech said, "As the July 11 accord has ... put an end to an unnatural situation... all concerned must now go forward in the same direction;" it is reported that [Stefan] Tauschitz, Austrian Minister to Germany is to be recalled because the more radical elements in the Nazi Party find him an "obstacle"; an article in the Chancellor's own newspaper entitled "Initiative in Commercial Policy" seems to urge closer cooperation with Germany; although it was denied at the time of the October Cabinet reorganization that external pressure was responsible, the present Cabinet is more pleasing to Germany; many Nazi prisoners freed by Glaise-Horstenau's intervention; Nazi activities in general have been kept down, but it is reported Nazis have a new leader in Austria, one [Josef] Leopold, known to be in close touch with German Minister [Franz] von Papen; report of one of the Nazi meetings states "Hitler, for foreign political reasons, wants situation to remain quiet in Austria; monarchist movement brought forward again.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.