Messersmith, G.S., Vienna. To Jay Pierrepont Moffat, Washington.
Date
1935-02-15
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
[Oscar Emil Wade] Werner returned to Vienna recently; talked with him since his return; seems to be mentally distrubed; Associated Press may have to bring him home; shows pronounced Nazi tendencies, which Austrian government is aware of,and he may get into trouble with authorities; will talk to [Kent] Cooper of A.P. about him while in U.S.; [Anton] Rintelen to be tried soon for high treason; government has been delaying trial because it prefers not to put him on stand; no doubt about his guilt, but he might say things on stand which would make bad impression and embarrass many people; Dr. [Fritz] Hamburger tried and sentenced to life imprisonment; hopes foreign press doesn't make too much of Rintelen's trial; bound to be mud slinging; monarchist talk again receding into background; Anglo-American Press Association had luncheon at which [Baron Friedrich] von Wiesner, leading legitimist, spoke; together with British colleague "decided that we both had another engagement that day;" [Alfred] Kliefoth and [Cecil Wayne] Gray from the Legation attended; they reported that von Wiesner stated Otto would have to come back as Austrian monarch without Hapsburg pretensions and that Archdukes would have to live on their own incomes; at ball of City of Vienna a week ago Archduke Eugene arrived and made public entrance ahead of President; received much attention; after Saar plebiscite [Franz] von Papen opened book in main reception room of German Legation in which the "enthusiastic" could inscribe their congratulations; many German citizens live in Vienna and they naturally went, but police discovered all sorts of people were using it as opportunity to get inside Legation; von Papen was called to Foreign Office and asked not to receive any more people for this purpose; Nazi activities in Austria now confined to propaganda; Secretary of French Legation informed that Paris and Geneva had proof that many prepared votes were employed in Saar election; will leave end of March for home unless situation demands presence here; anxious to see ailing mother and looking forward to seeing Moffat.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.