Memorandum of conversation between G.S. Messersmith and [Franz] von Papen.
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University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
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Enclosed with No. 442. Returned [Franz] von Papen's call; conversation began with inconsequential talk; von Papen asked about election in U.S. and what results meant to the President; replied that results indicated strong personal endorsement for President, expression of confidence, and approval of major Presidential policy; conversation moved on to economic matters, stabilization of currency, devaluation, inflation, and effects in various countries; von Papen asked for observations on internal situation in Germany; refrained from commenting on this matter; von Papen commented on difficulty in Germany of getting raw materials; replied that Germany could get raw materials anytime in the world markets by paying for them; von Papen asked for opinion on Austro-German relations; replied that Austro-German relations important factor in peace in Europe and that it was a mistaken policy to press political sovereignty on any country beyond present frontiers of Germany; same thing had led to war in 1914; von Papen insisted Germany did not want to make Austria a subservient or dependent country, but then contradicted himself by saying Germany only wanted Austria to follow her policy instead of that of France; any country bound to follow policy of another could hardly be considered independent; conversation carried on, in friendly manner, but gathered the impression that von Papen is the intriguer which he denies; "he is a great spinner of webs and usually gets tangled up in them himself."