711.632/86: Telegram
The Minister in Austria ( Stockton ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:54 p.m.]
5. Reference to Department’s No. 2 of January 22.13 MacCormac14 received intimations about treaty from Schober at recent press luncheon. Increasingly unfavorable attitude here toward most-favored-nation clause recently reported by me is demonstrated in Austrian-Hungarian negotiations. These discussions give further evidence of desirability of gaining Senate’s immediate consent to supplemental article. The attitude of Austria toward the treaty with the United States has changed during eight years of negotiation from eagerness to reluctance. Because of the collapse of negotiations which followed the Senate reservation of February 1929, I fear that Austrian Parliament will not ratify treaty until Senate gives consent to supplemental article. Austrian imports from the United States averaged $28,000,000 annually for the five years ending 1929. Result was an unfavorable trade balance for Austria averaging $19,000,000 annually. Confident ratification of treaty by Austrian Parliament can be obtained when Senate consents to supplemental article. If we do not take advantage of this opportunity before adjournment of Senate it may not come again.