611.6331/129

Memorandum by the Assistant Chief of the Treaty Division (McClure)

The Minister of Austria came to Mr. Sayre’s office on the morning of August 1, 1934, and, in Mr. Sayre’s absence, asked to see me. He referred to an article which he said he had read in the Baltimore Sun for today, in which six countries, namely, Great Britain, Germany, Russia, Canada, Argentina and Austria, were listed with the statement that an authoritative source had disclosed that the State Department had no plans for instituting negotiations with these countries. With reference to Austria it was stated that American officials believe it is not feasible at the present time to enter into negotiations because of the complicated political and economic situation in Austria.

Mr. Prochnik asked to be informed what was the meaning of this press statement.

I had not myself read it, but told Mr. Prochnik that I felt sure there was no official foundation for the statement and that it originated purely in the imagination of some writer for the press.

Mr. Prochnik then stated that he thought his Government would, when there was a little more leisure, desire to instruct him to approach this Government with a view to opening negotiations. He inquired whether, in view of the press statement referred to, he might feel at liberty to do so. I told Mr. Prochnik that it seemed to me that he should make such proposals as he might desire at such time as might seem appropriate to him. He asked me to look into the press despatch and, if anything should develop contrary to what I had told him, to let him know.

[Page 61]

I have since looked into the matter and have found an Associated Press despatch from Washington, July 31, published in the Baltimore Sun for August 1. A similar despatch, though somewhat briefer, appears in the Washington Post. Incidentally, an editorial in the Journal of Commerce for August 1 names Argentina among the countries with which reciprocal agreements may be negotiated and states that it is not believed that England, France or Italy will be approached prior to the Congressional campaign.

I discussed the press despatch in question with Mr. McDermott and Mr. Foote.43 It is by the Associated Press and was written by Mr. Lehrbas, the Associated Press correspondent who covers the Department of State. Mr. Lehrbas came into Mr. Foote’s office while I was there and stated that he had written the article and that he had not obtained the information from any official of the Department of State. He stated definitely that it was based upon fact, but practically admitted that he had simply pieced together a number of items without having authority to do so.

W[allace] McC[luke]
  1. Michael J. McDermott, Chief, and Walter A. Foote, Assistant Chief, of the Division of Current Information.