Paris Peace Conf. 184.01102/225
Professor A. C. Coolidge to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Received March 19.]
Sirs: I have the honor to report that interesting things have been happening here in regard to the question of the union of German Austria with Germany. During the last few weeks there has been a perceptible cooling down of the sentiment in its favor. Recent events in Berlin and Munich have increased the alarm of the conservative and propertied classes, and the perception has been growing, rather late in the day, that Austria as a future part of Germany might suffer more severe treatment at the hands of the Conference in Paris in questions of boundary and finance than if she were to remain a weak, independent state. The threats of the French have I believe had not a little to do with this sentiment.
The chief setback, however, has come from a quite unexpected quarter. It had been taken for granted, both by enemies and friends of the proposed union, that the attitude of Germany would be entirely favorable. Reports from German public men and the German newspapers seemed to confirm this point of view. Stories of Dr. Bauer’s reception in Weimar and Berlin also were favorable. Soon after his return, however, rumors began to circulate that he had come back greatly disappointed and depressed. These rumors soon spread; and when, to the surprise of the public, it was announced that Dr. Bauer did not wish to remain as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs but preferred to devote his whole attention to a new secretaryship of socialisation, people gave but one explanation. They said and say that Dr. Bauer had committed himself so deeply, not only to the whole principle of union with Germany but also to that of going ahead frankly and directly without paying attention to further objections from within or without, that in view of the cold reception his overtures had met with from Berlin his position had become untenable. Secretary Bauer has denied this explanation in a long interview in the Neue Freie Presse of March 16th, but his explanation is hardly likely to be generally accepted. The fact that he has consented to remain temporarily in [Page 279] charge of Foreign Affairs is taken to mean only that there is great difficulty in finding a suitable successor for him at this moment.
The situation is confused. On the one hand the Government is still officially committed to union with Germany, and the Chancellor, Dr. Renner, has once more avowed his adherence to the idea. An alternative is as difficult as ever to find. Relations with both the Czechoslovaks and the Jugo-Slavs render the thought of confederation with either of them, not only unpalatable but practically impossible to most Austrians. Specially in the case of Czecho-Slovakia if she obtains a large number of German Austrians by the treaty of peace, friendly relations of any kind between her and Austria can hardly be expected for a long time to come. For Hungary many Austrians feel both dislike and distrust, feelings which they might be willing to forget if necessary but they regard the plight of Hungary as even worse than that of their own country—and an association with someone even more bankrupt than themselves arouses little enthusiasm. Still less enthusiasm is aroused by the idea—though people are beginning to turn to it—of an independent, weak state of small resources and great needs, which would have little to do but chew the cud of its past glories.
On the other hand, the plan of union with Germany has undoubtedly met with a setback. A few days ago I was called upon by Dr. Schumpeter, who was soon to be appointed Secretary of State for Finances in the new government. He began by telling me that he could talk in a confidential way that would be impossible for him a few hours later. He then went on to ask whether I thought the idea of a Danube confederation was still possible. After a little fencing I managed to get out of him that what he really wanted to know was whether Austria by remaining independent could obtain better terms from the Allies than if she were to become a part of Germany. When I put this baldly to him he admitted that such was his object. He left saying that he wished to see me again very soon.
I have [etc.]