Box 6

Scope and Contents New Minister of Social Welfare, [Josef] Dobretsberger, indicated in speech that Austrian Government may seek reconciliation with Social Democrats; news welcomed in England; Dobretsberger backed by Chancellor, but will be opposed by [Ernst] von Starhemberg in view of strong Heimwehr attitude against Social Democrats, shared by von Starhemberg; [Emil] Fey, ousted Minister of Interior, and von Starhemberg have talked things over and apparently patched up differences; all deposed Ministers and...

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Enclosures: See Nos. 602-605. Transmitting translations of articles from Vienna press relative to anti-Jewish measures in Germany; some anti-Semitism in Austria, but Austrian public opinion in general inflamed by persecution of Jews in Germany and makes rapprochement out of question.

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Reports on Austrian internal and external situation; recent Cabinet changes accepted by country at large; government hopes to conciliate Social Democrats and gain their support; new government tends to be more liberal; France and England cool to new officials; rumors again of restoration of monarchy, but no chance for that in near future; Austrian munitions plants forbidden by government to make deliveries to either Italy or Abyssinia.

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Maxwell Anderson's play Elizabeth and Essex had premiere at Burgtheater in Vienna on Nov. 8; after premiere invited fifty or more members of government, director, cast, and representatives of American press to the Legation for supper; other American plays also having successful runs in Vienna.

Scope and Contents Doubts wisdom of U.S. participation in 1936 Olympics in Berlin; Germans had retained [Theodor] Lewald, who is part Jewish, as head of the German Olympics Committee, but only to convince the outside world that there was no discrimination against Jews; the position was only titular and carried with it no powers or responsibilities; the American Olympics Committee had asked Lewald if the reports of discrimination against Jews in Germany were true, and he had replied that there was no...

Scope and Contents Reports on activities of Colin Ross, German citizen now residing in Austria; attended lecture by Ross in Vienna recently; Ross said he had just spent two and a half years in America and spoke of the U.S. in highly derogatory terms; called the German-Americans a repressed minority who must rise up and rebuild the U.S. along the "German idea"; Ross says he is an exile from Germany, but he recently published a book in Germany and articles of his have appeared in German papers, which means he is...

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Called by appointment on Chancellor at his office; discussed problems in connection with American correspondents; explained to Chancellor that correspondents were responsible men who reported news objectively, but who felt they were not treated in Austria with sufficient consideration; they were not given proper facilities and had great difficulty getting information; Chancellor thanked Messersmith for informing him of situation and said he would look into matter.

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Under heavy strain in Department as result of Italo-Ethiopian situation; Messersmith's letter regarding Olympic Games interesting; not comfortable about U.S. participation, but does not see how Department can interfere; letter regarding changes in Austrian Cabinet and [Franz] von Papen's activities very helpful.

Scope and Contents Has been unable to get further information on German-Japanese agreement; new Austrian Cabinet settled down to work but is definitely on trial; Austrian budget up for debate; deficit not likely to be increased; Austrian negotiators who went to London to discuss live claims against Credit Anstalt made mistake of asking for much and offering nothing; met cold reception; Alexis, [Ernst] von Starhemberg adviser, accompanied negotiators and had conferences with important people in British Foreign...

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Leaving shortly for London for Naval Conference; hopes to gain something of British and European atmosphere; would like to go to Vienna, but doubts there will be time.

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Read with interest Messersmith's resumé of European situation accompanying despatch no. 575 of Oct. 11; would like to have time to exchange thoughts by letter, but Italo-Ethiopian situation absorbs all time; hopes to discuss matters with him when Messersmith next in U.S.

Scope and Contents No appreciable change in situation of Jews in Austria since last despatch on the subject; government opposed to discrimination against Jews; new Cabinet even more strongly opposed; young Jews find it increasingly difficult to enter legal and medical professions, but this difficulty is created by professional organizations, not government, in an attempt maintain an equilibrium between Jews and non-Jews in a profession; in theatre, business, art, literature, and newspaper field there seems to...

Scope and Contents Reports visit of Hungarian Prime Minister [Julius] Goemboes and Hungarian Foreign Minister, Koloman de Kanya, to Vienna on Nov. 28 and 29; they met with Chancellor Schuschnigg, Vice-Chancellor Starhemberg and Foreign Minister Berger-Waldenegg; they discussed problems common to Hungary and Austria, chiefly their relations with Italy and possible economic effects; both countries have refused to apply sanctions against Italy, but both have agreed that they will not leave the League of Nations...

Scope and Contents Reports on speech by Foreign Minister [Egon] Berger-Waldenegg at meeting of Bundestag on Nov. 28, in which Minister made clear statement of Austria's foreign policy; whole diplomatic corps had been invited to attend; speech began with statement on relations with Italy, and Austrian gratitude for Italy's economic and political support; spoke of friendship of France and Great Britain and role they had played in helping to guarantee Austria's independence; commented on cordial relations with...

Scope and Contents Comments on visit to Vienna of Hungarian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and on Austrian Foreign Minister's speech on foreign policy; address given by Rost van Tonningen, representative of Financial Committee of League of Nations in Austria, and attended by ranking members of government; reviewed Austria's financial position and pointed out part League has played in maintaining Austria's financial situation; Austrian attitude on sanctions has somewhat alienated League sympathies; van...

Scope and Contents Austrian Government disturbed over unfavorable repercussions in Geneva to its attitude on sanctions and unfavorable turn in Credit Anstalt negotiations in London; position of Foreign Minister severely shaken and he is likely to be replaced; Foreign Minister made speech before Bundestag, attempting to clear up Austrian position; his statement acceptable to everyone except Italy and Germany; [Julius] Goemboes and [Koloman de] Kanya visited Vienna last week to talk with Austrian leaders about...

Scope and Contents Understands [William] Phillips went to London with U.S. delegation [to Naval Conference]; sending clipping from London Times giving sidelight on [Ernst Franz Sedgwick] Hanfstaengl whose case against Daily Express came up some time ago; Hanfstaengl trying to regain favor in Berlin; Keith Merrill here recently to look over residence which is recommended for purchase; Merrill pleased with house and agreed U.S. should buy it as permanent residence for U.S. Minister; price is reasonable;...

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Sending copy of letter to [James Clement] Dunn dated Dec. 4 which will keep Phillips in touch with developments in Austria; England on right path but doubts proper English-French cooperation as long as [Pierre] Laval is in his position; hopes Phillip's London visit is interesting and not too strenuous.

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Sending herewith letter for Undersecretary [William] Phillips, who is to be in London; will appreciate Bingham's seeing that he gets it.

Scope and Contents Austria's internal situation quiet and controlled, but she occupies precarious position because of general European situation; she is trying to maintain friendly relations with Italy and at the same time cultivate England and France, and to strengthen friendly relations with Hungary and the other states of the Little Entente; it was announced that Chancellor [Kurt Schuschnigg] would visit Prague and address an industrial group there; Austria and Czechoslovakia have been working on a trade...

Scope and Contents [Fritz] Stockinger, Minister of Commerce, to be dropped from Cabinet; likely that [Ludwig] Draxler, Minister of Finance, will take over both posts; Austria concerned over her position in case of sudden German move against her; England and France could not act quickly enough to save her, and Italy, with her Army involved in Abyssinia, not likely to use troops in Austria's defense; reports German plans for placing 30,000 men in barracks within striking distance of Austrian frontier; internal...

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Sending herewith private letter for [William] Phillips; if he has left for Paris, will appreciate having it forwarded to him there.

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Sent by courier envelope addressed to Ambassador [Robert Worth] Bingham in London; in envelope is letter for [William] Phillips; if Phillips is in Paris when courier arrives or is expected shortly, will be grateful if Straus will have someone see that Phillips gets it; otherwise send it on to London.

Scope and Contents Comments on Anglo-French proposals on Abyssinia; believes damage done even if proposals don't go through; Italy threatening to go to war if oil sanctions are applied; Germany threatening to move in Central Europe; England and France want peace, but they are taking shortsighted view; better a short war now than a long and worse war later; no way U.S. can help Europe out of mess except to give moral support; Keith Merrill in Vienna in November, looked at house, and agreed U.S. should buy it as...

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Courier due in Paris on Dec. 21; will see that [William] Phillips receives his letter in Paris, or send it on to England, whichever seems wisest course.