840.00/442
The Chargé in Czechoslovakia (Benton) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 18.]
Sir: I have the honor to give below a summary of the observations which the President of the Republic, Dr. Beneš, made to me today, relative to the general European political situation. This despatch should be read in conjunction with my despatch No. 508 of July 23rd last, summarizing a conversation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Krofta, on the same subject.
I should observe that Dr. Beneš, in his talk with me, evinced his usual optimism, although certain of his remarks, particularly those dealing with the results that may be expected from the recent Austro-German Accord, left me with the distinct impression that the wish expressed was often father to the thought. In short, he was hopeful but not entirely convincing.
The general European situation, according to Dr. Beneš, is most unsatisfactory, but there is no immediate cause for alarm. He scouts the idea of a general European war in the near future, adding that much of the unrest today is due to “revolutionary” processes at work in most European countries, the outcome of which it is impossible to foretell.
Referring to the Austro-German Accord, he cited the official Czechoslovak reaction, which I gave in my despatch No. 501 dated July 18, 1936,84 and said that the Accord will not necessarily bring [Page 329] Austria under the domination of Germany. Schuschnigg, he is convinced, is resolved to maintain Austria’s political and economic independence, and Dr. Beneš is inclined to believe that he will be successful.
You will recall that Dr. Beneš has in the past frequently evinced distrust of Italy and of Italian policy, and in conversation with me today this attitude was particularly noticeable. In his opinion, Italy is strong only as long as France and England are weak and divided. The moment the two latter countries are united Italy must, whether she likes it or not, follow their lead.
Dr. Beneš believes that the internal situation in France is not really alarming, and that serious trouble in that country is not likely to follow. He is hopeful that England and France may be able to work together so that they can present a united front to the world. If this materializes the peace of Europe is, in his opinion, for the time being assured.
Dr. Beneš said that Czechoslovakia has nothing to fear from Germany, and that he does not believe that Germany has designs upon, or will make an attempt to seize, the Sudeten provinces. Czechoslovakia feels absolutely secure, develop as it may the general European situation, and she has implicit faith in her allies—the Little Entente countries, France and Soviet Russia—and he knows that their help can be counted upon when necessary.
This point of view, I should observe, is not generally subscribed to by the average thinking Czech, who feels that, in the event of trouble, French assistance is not to be counted upon, and that, in any case, the geographical position of this country would make effective military aid on the part of France difficult, if not impossible. Similarly, Rumania is regarded as a “weak brother”, and the extension of German influence over Yugoslavia is seen as lessening the possibility of assistance from that quarter. With regard to Russia, there is an important element here opposed to the alliance with that country, which sees in it, not a guarantee of effective military assistance in case of need, but a possible means for the Soviets to undermine the democratic structure of Czechoslovakia.
Dr. Beneš touched upon the political situation in Germany, and said that in his opinion there is little likelihood of National Socialism losing control in the near future. He realizes that Hitler is personally popular—in contrast to many of his entourage—and that the Reichswehr, which is undoubtedly the strongest factor in Germany today, could not, even should it so desire, throw Hitler over without producing chaos, as there is no system, no outstanding individual, with which to replace him. The present system in Germany may therefore, in his opinion, be expected to continue indefinitely, notwithstanding [Page 330] that the increasingly unsatisfactory state of that country’s finances and economic structure might produce a change when least expected. This, however, he does not believe will be the case.
Respectfully yours,
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