Messersmith, G.S., Vienna. Despatch No. 944 to Secretary of State [Cordell Hull], Washington.
Date
1936-11-04
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Enclosure: List of Cabinet Members. 1 p. Comments on reorganization of Austrian Cabinet; on Nov. 3 Vice-Chancellor [Eduard] Baar-Baarenfels, [Ludwig] Draxler, Minister of Finance, and [Fritz] Stockinger, Minister of Commerce, have all been dropped; the first two were members of the Heimwehr and had held high positions in it; Heimwehr has been dissolved and Chancellor felt Heimwehr influence should be removed from Cabinet; much dissension between Draxler and Stockinger on financial policy and for personal reasons; these replaced by [Ludwig] Huelgerth, Rudolf Neumayer, and Wilhelm Taucher respectively; Minister of Justice, Robert Winterstein replaced by Adolf Pilz, a man much better qualified for the job; [Eduard] Glaise-Horstenau, who entered Cabinet after accord of July 11, 1936 as Minister without portfolio to form liaison between so-called nationally minded elements in Austria and the government, now named Minister of Interior; Chancellor felt it safer to give him a post which would take up his time and prevent his moving about the country talking with various government officials; Odo Neustädter-Stürmer named Minister of Public Security, a new ministry; Hans Pernter remains as Minister of Education and Guido Schmidt remains as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; most of new appointees well-qualified and government will be strengthened because of reorganization; believes Austrian people will accept change without opposition; with elimination of some of the pro-Italian members and the addition of Glaise-Horstenau, the changes will on the whole be more pleasing to Germany than to Italy.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.