863.20/79a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Austria (Stockton)
27. I have been waiting for some days for a report from you of the critical situation in Austria.
The press today carries detailed stories indicating that the Austrian Army, with the consent of the western Powers, is to be enlarged by the compulsory recruiting of militia. In particular, the Minister of War13 is quoted as saying: “I have succeeded in obtaining this concession and it may be regarded as the first step toward universal military service.”
Please ascertain orally and in strict confidence and telegraph me immediately whether a derogation of the military clauses of the Treaty of St. Germain is imminent; whether it has been agreed to by other Powers and, if so, which; what construction the Austrian Government places upon our Treaty of August 24, 1921,14 which specifies that the United States shall enjoy the rights and advantages defined in the military clauses of the St. Germain Treaty; and any other information which you may consider pertinent. I need hardly caution you not to let your informal inquiries give the impression of any representation either pro or con. You will readily understand that this or more particularly similar problems elsewhere may assume a very great importance for the United States and it is essential that we be immediately and adequately informed in order to determine our course of action.
- Karl Vaugoin.↩
- Treaty between the United States and Austria establishing friendly relations, Foreign Relations, 1921, vol. i, p. 274.↩