Messersmith, G.S., Vienna. To William Phillips, Washington.
Date
1935-06-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Returned to Vienna from leave on May 18; found situation in Austria fundamentally unchanged; Foreign Minister reports Government stronger than ever and fears no difficulties from within; German Legation center for Nazi propaganda in Austria; no longer concerned about [Franz] von Papen, who promises anything but performs nothing; economic and financial situation improves slowly, though wages still too low; Government following closely developments in Europe, especially German activity in London, Paris and Rome; rumors in Austria of Italian rapproachment with Germany and possibility of Italy leaving League; toward end of March prospects for peace were brighter through England's apparently firmer attitude; now Italy's Abyssian adventure and Hitler's Reichstag speech have again clouded issue and England not yet ready to face facts; English know Hitler and his crowd totally unreliable, but by treating them as decent hope to hold them to some of their promises; England especially anxious to conclude air pact with Germany; victory of Heinlein Party in Czechoslovakia disturbing; Austrian relations with Hungary and other Danubian states satisfactory; Goering having no success in his visits to Balkan States and Yugoslavia; Germany signed commercial treaty with Rumania, though Rumania will find it disappointing; [Nicolas] Titulescu [Rumanian Foreign Minister] restive lately because he thinks [Eduard] Benes plays too prominent a part in affairs of Little Entente; Rome Danubian Conference postponed; dangers in delay; gives Germany more time to stir up trouble; Italy in difficult position between aspirations in Abyssinia and objections of France and England; unless something unexpected happens, no reason to fear Italian-German rapproachment; Mussolini one head of state in Europe with no illusions about Hitler; [Hjalmar] Schacht says Germany has reached limit of indebtedness; only long-tern forced loans from savings banks and private insurance companies keep economy from collapsing; Schacht told [Alfred] Kliefoth that continued U.S. refusal of credits and trade privileges would only embitter Germans and strengthen Nazi regime; ridiculous reasoning; [Joachim] Ribbentrop told Hitler he had made progress in England in reassuring public about Germany, but to continue to do so, necessary to let up in church and Jewish persecution; according to reliable source, Hitler told Ribbentrop when he wanted his advice on those questions he would ask for it; question of war or peace in Europe hinges on attitude of England; spread of Nazi ideology more dangerous than political expansion of Nazi Government; majority of German people still sound, but docile, and direction they take depends upon their leadership.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.