Messersmith, G.S., Vienna. To R[obert] Walton Moore, Washington.
Date
1937-01-16
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Austria remained quiet during holidays; most members of government except Chancellor away; Europe passed through another crisis during last few weeks; Hitler was considering action in several directions which would have provoked general European war; wanted to send troops and warships to Spain but was dissuaded by General [Werner] von Fritsch and [Admiral] Richard Förster, though Förster was forced to resign as a result; they assured Hitler that war now would be disastrous for Germany; Hitler, before General [Hans] von Seeckt's death, had tried to persuade him to use his influence with Reichswehr to give up its reservations about action against Russia but was unsuccessful; firm and united stand by France and England contributed to easing of crisis; the "gentleman's" agreement between England and Italy may also have had effect; rumors that Austria had secret military agreement with Germany vigorously denied by Austrian press; internal situation in Germany unquestionably worse; significant that [Karl] Goerdeler was forced out of post of price controller, [Julius] Lippert nominated as Burgomaster of Berlin, and [Paul] Scheffer removed as editor of Berliner Tageblatt; has heard Scheffer to go to Washington for Tageblatt; Scheffer not a Nazi, but has been willing instrument of regime and not to be trusted; Chancellor [Kurt] Schuschnigg] contemplating marriage six months hence to young woman whose former marriage was annulled by Vatican; Catholics view proposed marriage with misgivings and non-Catholics may use it to undermine Chancellor's position; at New Year's reception for diplomatic corps President [Wilhelm] Miklas requested that his best wishes be conveyed to President Roosevelt, for whom he has great admiration; planning to return to U.S. for brief stay first of April; in meantime doing some official entertaining; official entertaining in Vienna apt to be dull, but tries to keep U.S. functions less formal and boring, and guests seem to enjoy it; negotiations for trade agreement between Germany and Austria resumed but little progress made; agreement such as Germany wants impossible for Austria to accept; has been busy trying to counteract German pressure on Austria to do things which would affect U.S. trade with Austria adversely; Duke of Windsor continues to conduct himself circumspectly; has had one interesting conversation with him and will see him again at small gathering on the 20th; erroneous AP press dispatch appearing in N.Y. Times stated Duke had invited Messersmith and Mrs. Messersmith to lunch on Christmas Day and had been refused; completely untrue; the Duke's invitation was to accompany him to the British Legation after the Church services, and they had done so; postscript dated Jan. 18 reports background of [Hermann] Goering's visit to Rome; according to informant Goering considers Germany's situation hopeless unless fundamental changes are made and he wanted to sound out Mussolini on idea of "kicking Hitler upstairs" into the Presidency and Goering himself taking over duties of Chancellor and running the government; with Reichswehr backing this could be accomplished; Goering less radical and far more reasonable than Hitler and he might bring about some needed changes, but he too is a dangerous man, full of resentments, and will not be satisfied until Germany wins a decisive victory over England and France.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.