Messersmith, G.S.
Date
2011-06-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Reports conversations with King Edward [Duke of Windsor] after his abdication; day after abdication Sir Walford Selby called to say Edward arriving in Vienna and would be staying with the Baron and Baronness [Eugene de] Rothschild just outside Vienna; Selby wanted to do everything possible to make Edward's stay in Austria as easy as possible, and called on Messersmith for help; attended Christmas service at English Church and shared the reading of lesson with Edward; following service, was invited to British Legation for luncheon with Edward; he engaged Messersmith in lively conversation about American press, the only thing about which he seemed to be bitter, and said, "It is because of the American newspapers I am here today"; Baroness Rothschild came to see Messersmith and complained that they were besieged by reporters; they crawled over the walls, roamed through the garden, and even peeped in windows; she thought most of them were Americans; Messersmith did not think it was the regular correspondents, but called the American correspondents together and enlisted their aid and was able to see that the Rothschilds were not further molested; Selby concerned that British Government had so far made no financial provision for Edward; at his request, British Government sent [Leopold C.M.S.] Amery to Austria to look into matter; on being asked his opinion, Messersmith said he knew nothing of what properties Edward had, or what access to funds, but knew he was hard up and living modestly on bounty of Baron de Rothschild, which was not good for England's prestige; some financial provision was made shortly thereafter; Edward on various occasions spoke freely about divorce proceedings of Mrs. Simpson and their approaching marriage; on his return to Vienna after his marriage, Brazilian Minister, Samuel Gracie and his wife, who was of English origin, gave small dinner for Edward and his wife; Messersmith was seated beside Duchess at dinner and had pleasant conversation with her; she too was bitter about the way she and Edward had fared in American newspapers; after dinner Edward engaged Messersmith in conversation which turned on relations between Germany and Italy; Messersmith guarded in his remarks because of presence of Secretary of Italian Legation; Italian support of Austrian independence was by this time much less assured; shortly after this dinner Messersmith was called to Washington to serve as Assistant Secretary, and never met the Duke and Duchess again; recalls that at luncheon after the Christmas service before his marriage, Edward asked Messersmith what he thought of the abdication speech; Messersmith replied that he thought it very moving; Edward then said, "I wrote most of it and Winnie [Winston Churchill] wrote the rest"; article on Churchill in U.S. News and World Report of Apr. 15, 1955 states, "Churchill advised patience; Edward chose instead to abdicate and to prepare the draft of his famous farewell address;" Churchill went over it with a vigorous pencil, adding rolling Churchillian phrases; later, listening at the radio, he is said to have commented on"Edward's unexpected abilities as a speech writer."
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.