Messersmith, G.S., Vienna. To Jay Pierrepont Moffat, Washington.
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University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
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Freie Presse reports [Ernst Franz Sedgwick] Hanfstaengl going to U.S. to attend Harvard class reunion; Hanfstaengl said Messersmith unfriendly to German government and German people; questioned German friend of Messersmith to learn names of Messersmith's other German friends; hoped to hear Messersmith quoted as critical of German government and provide excuse to ask for his recall; friend gave Hanfstaengl no information; friend introduced to Hanfstaengl by Mr. Pierce, President of American Chamber of Commerce in Berlin, who was present at interview; Pierce has connection with General Electric, is somewhat unbalanced and dominated by wife, who is a violent anti-Semite; if his company knew of incident he would lose job; Hanfstaengl can be affable and entertaining, but he is totally unreliable; Martha and William [Dodd] see him constantly; believe such association not in our best interests, but hesitate to advise Ambassador that his children are behaving indiscretely; Hanfstaengl not of much importance in government or Party, but Hitler fond of him and keeps him close by; he should be given cool treatment in America; treating him with consideration will not help U.S. interests in Germany or U.S. prestige.