763.72119/2953: Telegram
Colonel E. M. House to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 11:30 p.m.]
246. Your 147, December 7, 9 p.m.14 I have informally ascertained that the French Foreign Office believes that the establishment at Vienna of a central committee composed of representatives [of] the Allies would be unwise for the following reasons:
Such a commission could hardly establish itself in Vienna without armed detachment, which would create military and political complications. The railway system of the Austro-Hungarian Empire is already under the command of the Allies by the terms of the armistice. As Austria now forms only a small portion of the former Empire Vienna would no longer be a central point for the demobilization of the army or for the repatriation of interned subjects and war prisoners, and finally the terms of the armistice are being fairly well carried out.
I am inclined to concur in the above view. British Embassy here knows nothing about the matter. Suggest you wire London.