Messersmith, G.S., Vienna. Despatch No. 684 to Secretary of State [Cordell Hull], Washington.
Date
1936-02-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press
Abstract
Description
Enclosure: See No. 647. Talks began in Vienna on Austro-Czechoslovakian trade agreement; conditions for talks favorable, but technical difficulties may prolong conclusion of agreement; Hungary opposed to Austro-Czech agreement; situation in Austria quiet; interest centers in London and Paris where there has been much diplomatic activity in recent weeks, much of it concerned with Austrian independence; visit of Vice-Chancellor Prince [Ernst von] Starhemberg to London as head of Austrian delegation to attend funeral of King George had good effects; returned by way of Paris and talked with Foreign Minister Pierre Etienne Flandin; von Starhemberg had planned to go to Belgium for visit with Archduke Otto, but abandoned plan when advised that such a visit might arouse more speculation about Hapsburg restoration; Ex-Empress Zita and Otto reported to have been in Paris while von Starhemberg was there, but had no meeting with him; had conversation yesterday with Czech and Jugoslav Ministers to Austria; both seemed reassured about the question of restoration; none of states of the Little Entente or the Balkan Union care to see a Hapsburg restoration; no progress on Danubian Pact and there will be none as long as Italy is engaged in Abyssinia; Pact, to be effective and binding, cannot be concluded without cooperation of Italy; attempt to draw Soviet Union into scheme as guarantor of status quo meets with no approval in countries of Central Europe; Franco-Soviet pact ratification expected soon as well as conclusion of agreement between Rumania and Russia; concern felt that Germany may form open alliance with Italy and perhaps draw into it Poland and Hungary; informed by Mr. [Franz] Peter, Secretary General of Foreign Office, that Austrian-German relations worse; [Bernhard Wilhelm] von Bülow, Under Secretary in the Wilhelmstrasse had told the Austrian Minister in Berlin recently that the press truce between Austria and Germany was at an end, and placed blame on Austria for having broken truce; Austria had observed truce more carefully than Germany, but German government decided it no longer served its purposes and put an end to it; Austrian press has been informed that it is no longer restricted.
Keywords
Messersmith, George S. (George Strausser), 1883-1960.