Messersmith, G.S., Vienna. To William Phillips, Washington.
Date
1934-11-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Announcement of appointments to corporative bodies made Nov. 1 without precipitating crisis; corporative bodies are called (1) State Council (2) Cultural Council (3) Economic Council and (4) Provincial Council; President makes appointments on nomination of Chancellor; Councils' function advisory only; real power remains in Cabinet; Chancellor stated Austria would return to more democratic government when circumstances permit; appointments to Councils represent compromise; some are leading people in the country, but majority are unknowns who add no strength to government; one Jew named to each of three Councils; conversations continue between Chancellor and so-called Nationalist groups; doubts wisdom of Chancellor's talking with them; any agreement reached would be placing seal of respectability and legality on their activities; fears position of Chancellor weakened; he did not make good impression on English, French, and Italian representatives in Geneva; should Chancellor be inclined to make concessions, influence of [Ernst von] Starhemberg and Catholic Church sufficient to counteract his attitude; dissatisfaction in Army, reported earlier, seems negligible now; Prime Minister of Hungary [Julius de] Goemboes spent Sunday in Vienna on way to Rome and had long talk with Chancellor; Hungarian Foreign Minister [Koloman de] Kanya in Vienna ten days ago and talked with Chancellor and Austrian Foreign Minister; rumored that he counselled them to be as conciliatory with Germany as possible; new Hungarian Minister to Austria, Baron [Gabriel] Apor, believes Germany approaching crisis; indications are that Hungary keeping path open to Berlin, but less definitely oriented toward Germany than formerly; Polish Minister in Vienna said Poland under no illusions regarding agreements with Germany; Goemboes reported to have been surprised on recent visit to Warsaw to find Poland veering away from Germany toward France; situation in Yugoslavia reported quiet; murder of King Alexander seems to have brought various factions together; Italian attitude toward Yugoslavia becoming more conciliatory; internal troubles in France delaying French-Italian conversations; German friend who has consistently held opinion that Hitler regime would last, now believes crisis rapidly approaching; recapitulates aims of Nazi Party and shows how German government has followed through in carrying them out; only in economic program, church program and plans for absorption of Austria have there been obstacles; economic policy has resulted in lower income and increased living costs; Dr. [Kurt] Goerdeler appointed commissioner to control price increases, but little he can do; some think alternative to Nazi regime is Communism and chaos, but there are still elements of order and reason in Germany; received report that [Hjalmar] Schacht to be forced out of Commerce Ministry and be replaced by [Walther] Funk; Schacht found position intolerable and tried to leave earlier but was not permitted; Funk smooth and capable, but unreliable.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.