Messersmith, G.S., Vienna. To R[obert] Walton Moore, Washington.
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University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
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Restoration question not so acute as American press reports would indicate; Americans like to read about royalty and correspondents feel they must cater to interest by sending in almost daily stories; Prince [Ernst von] Starhemberg seldom in Vienna; annulment of his marriage will take place soon; friends believe he will marry Nora Gregor, an actress in Burg Theater and mother of his only child; Hungarians pleased by Italian support of their revision claims, but Germany now showing her displeasure; dissatisfied that Italy should be stealing her thunder; revision soft-pedaled during Vienna Conference; [Galeazzo] Ciano not altogether pleased with stay in Vienna; he confided to Italian journalists that official reception was fine but he was disappointed Vienna public showed no interest in him; further evidence of Austria slipping more in the direction of Germany; Austrian press, even Chancellor's own paper, more friendly to Germany, condones German denunciation of Waterways Control, and approves German-Japanese agreement on Communism; way being prepared for active Austrian participation in anti-Communist front; Austria will probably recognize Franco Government as soon as Madrid falls; little known yet of what happened during Secretary of State [Guido] Schmidt's visit to Berlin; his reception in Berlin was cordial, and because of youth and comparative inexperience he may have been impressed, and may have returned a little too sure of Germany's good intentions; negotiations for trade treaty with Germany to begin Dec. 7; original German proposals so unacceptable Austria rejected them; coming negotiations will be difficult, but some arrangement certain to come; much concern over general European situation; Hitler's retirement into seclusion, financial situation in Germany, uncertainty over Italo-German relations, German denunciation of waterways control, recognition of Franco Government; and alleged German-Japanese agreement on Communism bode no good for European peace; some observers believe Germany and Italy have arrived at plan to divide up Southeast Europe between them; Ciano told William Phillips they had agreed on a division of Danubian trade; from division of economic interest only a short step to division of political interest; such division would give Germany free hand in Austria and Czechoslovakia and Italy a free hand in Hungary and Yugoslavia; Mussolini now fears Hitler ready to move on Czechoslovakia and doesn't want Italy involved; England beginning to realize situation and knows that she will be Germany's eventual target; commends book by J. W. Wheeler-Bennett, "The Wooden Titan," a book about Hindenburg and its significance for present-day Germany; draws parallel between Ludwig, mad King of Bavaria, and Hitler.