863.00/938: Telegram
The Minister in Austria (Messersmith) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 21—3:08 p.m.]
73. Austrian Government has refrained from commenting on Stra meeting and at the diplomatic reception on June 19th Chancellor gave no information. This situation had given rise to many disturbing inferences. Yesterday, however, in private conversation with Chancellor I ascertained that he was greatly elated.
Barthou, French Minister for Foreign Affairs, passed through Vienna en route to Bucharest on June 19th. After conference of Dollfuss with Barthou Austrian Government in official communiqué approved by French Legation stated that French Government in cooperation with Italian and British would “continue to guarantee independence of Austria.” Later in an authorized press interview Barthou stated “France’s whole power stands behind independence of Austria; independence as it is represented in the person of the Chancellor. With regard to National Socialist outrages from which your country suffers so much” Barthou added “I wish to say the following: we are quite on the side of Dollfuss government. The freedom and peace of Austria must be guaranteed under all circumstances. We will protect this freedom by all means.”
French Legation here stated foregoing was substance of Barthou’s statements to Dollfuss and added that Barthou had assured Dollfuss of French Government’s confidence in his chancellorship.
In expressing his appreciation of the Barthou press interview Dollfuss said to me in strict confidence that Barthou’s statements “were in harmony with what transpired at Stra.”