File No. 763.72119/2469

The Minister in Switzerland ( Stovall) to the Secretary of State

[Telegram—Extract]

5559. Members of Legation have just had exhaustive discussion with Kramárz, Czech leader. … He insists that German Austria must not be united with Germany because such a union would menace Czechs and Yugo-Slavs. He declares that he cannot understand the sentimental friendliness to German Austrians; as those responsible for the war they should not receive same consideration as Slav races of Austria who had supported Allies and their union with Germany should be declared a casus belli by the Entente and America. He insists on vital necessity for a common frontier between the Czechs and Yugo-Slavs even at expense of Magyar nationality, advocates territorial junction of Ruthenians to Slovaks and a common frontier with Transylvanian Roumanians in order that railways may connect Bohemia with Black Sea and Adriatic over Slav territory. The Germans within Bohemia will, he states, be glad to remain in Czech state to avoid German commercial competition. He shows little confidence in power of league of nations to enforce peace. …

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Stovall