Messersmith, G.S.
Date
2011-06-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Discusses character and activities of Franz von Papen; was surprised to learn he had been appointed Minister to Austria; he was on list of those to be eliminated on June 30, 1934 and barely escaped because Army hid and protected him; put off seeing him in Vienna as long as possible, but day was finally set for his courtesy call to Legation; he greeted Messersmith like old friend and settled in big arm chair as if for long conversation; he tried to discuss situation in Germany and Austria and Europe in general but Messersmith kept conversation on formal basis and refused to discuss questions he raised and he soon left; waited several weeks to return courtesy call at German legation; was greeted courteously, but von Papen said, "This time we are in my Legation and although you may not talk, I can talk and you will have to listen to me"; he proceeded to tell what he was going to do; he said he was not only minister to Austria but had supervision over German Chiefs of Mission in Hungary, Rumania, and Bulgaria, and it was his business to see that Anschluss was brought about peacefully; he said it was definitely the German objective to get control of Austria and countries south to the Turkish border; Messersmith said he had had many surprising conversations, but had not known of any time in modern history that a man had been sent by his government to endeavor, under protection of diplomatic immunity, to undermine the government of another country and to destroy its sovereignty; he let von Papen know he thought it best to have as little to do with each other as possible, and that von Papen should not put him in the position of having to be discourteous to him in public; Austrian government was not unaware of von Papen's activities.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.