Messersmith, G.S., Vienna. To William Phillips, Washington.
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University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
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Went to Zell am See for opening of new highway; Austria has built longest, highest, and best highway over Alps, in times of economic stress and out of her own resources; many of higher Government officials away, but Chiefs of Missions stick around; nothing points toward immediate catastrophe, but whole European situation causes grave concern; immediate interest centers on Abyssinian question and results of League meeting not encouraging; it is recognized that Italy needs room for expansion, but England cannot tolerate roughshod way Mussolini proceeds, and must protect her interests in Mediterranean and Near East; economic pressures which France and England may bring to bear plus unpopularity of Abyssinian war in Italy may be deciding factors; Paris and Rome preparing ground for Danubian Pacts, so that action may be taken by Little Entente states at meeting scheduled Aug. 29; Germans doing all possible to sabotage pacts, which they see as obstacle to Southeastern expansion; British showing interest in rapid negotiation of pacts; many people cynical about value of pacts, but they are the only means available outside of war or economic boycott for Europe to get out of tense situation; if Nazi regime maintains itself sufficiently long, war is inevitable; the hopes that present regime may gradually become more reasonable are illusory; no compromise possible for Nazis; Europe has wisely refrained from armed intervention to bring about change of government in Germany; definite economic boycott no solution; present regime, by its own acts, has brought about increasing economic isolation; it is recognized that Germany is a power with which arrangements must be made, but that arrangements with present Government offer no stability or security; majority of German people sound and can be good neighbor if they have good government; Reichswehr only instrument within Germany, outside of economic disaster, which can bring about change of government; Reichswehr not sympathetic to Nazi economic and social program, but tolerates regime because task of rearming not yet complete; opposition within Germany to pressures against Church, Jews, and exercise of independent thought, but not sufficient to bring about change of government; economic pressure may bring about change; empty stomachs could demand change; when a reasonable government is installed in Germany certain concessions must be made or the same old sores will remain; Germany, like Italy, needs room for expanding population; colonial concessions may be answer; Germans obliged by force or conscience to leave Germany may take constructive action which will have wide appeal within Germany and serve as nucleus for reaction there; such men as [Heinrich] Brüning and [Gottfried R.] Treviranus fitted for task.