863.00/1804: Telegram
The Ambassador in Germany (Wilson) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 17—1:10 p.m.]
454. Personal for the Secretary. I had another frank talk with Weizsacker about Schuschnigg. I told him I had a letter from you that the President was interested and that of course I made no official request in the circumstances but the conditions of his imprisonment and his health were reported as so bad that a scandal might break out and jeopardize still further the relations between our two lands. I asked his advice about how to proceed in a way to give hope of success.
Weizsacker replied that if he had his way Schuschnigg would be released with a medal showing him to be “the man who had done the most for the Anschluss” but that the Chancellor was in such a state of hatred towards him that the mere mention of the name threw him into a fury. I was not the only Ambassador, Weizsacker added, that had interested himself in this matter but he doubted whether any Ambassador could accomplish anything useful in the circumstances. He so emphasized the word “Ambassador” that the thought has occurred to me whether another approach might be more fruitful. The only approach I can think of would be for the President if he judged it wise to summon the German Ambassador and tell him of the reports, add that favorable treatment would have a happy effect upon American public opinion as evidencing German magnanimity and ask that a message in this sense be sent to Hitler. (It will be noted that I suggest a positive approach rather than a warning as I imagine this is the only type of appeal that might influence Hitler.)
Such an approach might have useful results. In conference with my advisors here we were all of opinion that my going to Goering on the subject would do more harm than good but we had considered an approach to Hitler. In view of what Weizsacker says however I am dubious about that also.
Weizsacker added that he questioned whether Schuschnigg’s health was as precarious and treatment so bad as we have been led to believe. I told him of course nothing as to the sources of our information.