Messersmith, G.S., Vienna. To Cordell Hull, Washington.
Date
1937-03-13
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
German and Italian notes delivered in London relative to Western pact, excluding Russia and Southeast Europe, leaving Germany a free hand in those directions; just a tactical move; doubts either Germany or Italy expects anything to come of it; effort made in Germany to distort failure of Nazi putsches in Hungary and Rumania; position of both countries stronger and German influence weakened, but still strong; the two putsches were to precede similar action in Czechoslovakia and to give impetus to [Léon] Degrelle movement in Belgium and [Anton Adrian] Mussert movement in Holland; Premier [Paul] van Zeeland of Belgium has cleverly maneuvered Degrelle into an untenable position; failure of putsches in Southeast Europe can only strengthen Dutch position in its move against Nazis there; efforts of Germany to create disturbances in these countries failing, and her external position and bargaining power thereby weakened; better relations, both political and economic, now existing between countries of Southeast Europe; again emphasizes that U.S. should enter into no political or trade negotiations with Germany at present; interesting development recently in German industry; English rearmament program and increased production in U.S. making such demands on iron and steel industry that foreign markets are neglected; Germany, needing exchange, is finally diverting some raw materials from armament production to manufactured products for export and hopes to get orders in South America and Orient which would otherwise come to U.S., England, and Belgium; Germany's political and economic objectives remain unchanged; she wants credits and markets to keep internal position going as basis for arriving at political objectives eventually; in meantime she continues fortification in Rhineland; bankers and trade interests in U.S. who favor credits and negotiations and increased trade with Germany ignore America's long range interests; social objectives remain unchanged; action against churches grows stronger, but persecution giving new life to religious convictions; new edition of Meyer's Lexikon, standard and authoritative German reference work for years, under "Barmherzigen Brüder" states "an organization which has become recently well-known through sexual abnormality of its members"; this old and respected Catholic order is well-known for its charitable services; German action in Czechoslovakia had been set for May, but earlier failures in Rumania and Hungary will probably cause postponement.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.