863.00/971: Telegram
The Minister in Austria (Messersmith) to the Secretary of State
86. Government here convinced recent events were desperate Nazi attempt to seize power by murder Dollfuss and intimidation present Cabinet. False radio announcement was to be signal for general Nazi uprising Austria which persons behind move felt would be reenforced by Socialists and probably communistic opposition and by invasion Austrian Legion from Germany as soon as results preliminary action proved propitious. General opinion well-informed quarters is Rintelen was involved whose personal ambitions for Chancellorship parallel Nazi plans. When invaders Foreign Office had reached first objective of killing Dollfuss and found they had imprisoned only a small part Cabinet and that instead of supporting movement outside Foreign Office materially they found themselves also prisoners, they lost heart and followed prearranged plan to treat for safe conduct to Germany.
While impossible to assert this version correct all details I believe developing evidence will support it. Undoubtedly one of first objectives was death Dollfuss whom Nazis have correctly regarded as principal obstacle in their way as he has consistently refused to admit Nazis in the Cabinet.
During a conversation with Tauschitz29 today he showed himself expectant. He said that (1) the disturbances in a few spots in Austria will be cleared up at the most by tomorrow; (2) Dollfuss left a verbal political testament which President and Government will adhere to and any Cabinet changes or additions will not change Dollfuss policy; (3) in the strictest confidence he told me Schuschnigg will be the new Chancellor (This appointment in my opinion would definitely indicate continuance of Dollfuss policies as late Chancellor always in conversation with me showed special confidence in and predilection for Schuschnigg); (4) he expressed conviction that martyrdom Dollfuss had consolidated determination Italy, France, and England that German aggression and interference in all forms in Austria must stop; (5) with respect to declaration Hitler this morning on appointment Papen30 he said that Austria must wait for acts and not words from Germany. Italian Military Attaché confirms that their forces on the Austrian border had orders to be ready to move if real invasion of Austrian legionnaires developed.
[Page 33]Numerous arrests have been made in Vienna and throughout country last 2 days of important persons suspected of complicity in Nazi uprising including many friends of Rintelen.
There is a good deal in the happenings of the last few days that seems to me far from clear. This, and that a completely new situation is created by the death of Dollfuss which opens the way to freer plan of personal ambitions and rivalries, makes me feel that no one can with any certainty forecast interior developments. I believe, however, that the martyrdom Dollfuss can for a time at least maintain the Dollfuss tradition in the Government. Schuschnigg, who will most likely be Chancellor, is a sound man of determination and many good qualities and he is undoubtedly the best man now available.