862.4016/1712: Telegram

The Ambassador in Germany (Wilson) to the Secretary of State

217. Certain circumstances in connection with the treatment of Jews in Austria appear to be as follows:

For political reasons Hitler does not desire that non-Austrian Germans exercise preponderant authority in Austria. He has asserted that he wished National Socialism in Austria to be an “Austrian National Socialism”. This policy is explicit in the filling of the majority of positions in Austria by Austrians and a definite restraint on the German National Socialist Party respecting Austria.

This is resulting during this transition period in less control by Berlin over happenings in Austria than would customarily be expected of a highly centralized government. While not wishing to admit that this is the case, Berlin authorities are obviously handicapped and embarrassed at the moment in giving directions.

The Austrian National Socialists are apparently as groups and individuals working off old hatreds and taking revenge in certain directions. Such “revenge” is chiefly directed against political enemies, including particularly “legitimists”, and against Jews. There is also the element of personal gain through forced liquidations of business and, in instances, of outright plunder.

The British Consul General at Vienna who has had long experience in Germany notes that the Austrian National Socialists are more violent and unscrupulous than the party in Germany and believes that to clear up the situation drastic action by the Central German authorities including the weeding out of individuals will eventuate.

It is evident that the entire situation is causing anxiety to the authorities here.

Respecting foreigners the situation is complicated in the popular mind by the fact that large numbers of Jews of Austrian origin or long residence there possess citizenship of other states including for example Jews with Chinese passports.

All Diplomatic Missions here having nationals in Austria including particularly the Italian, are faced with these difficulties. Austria is considered as being in effect in a state of revolution with the characteristic results on settled law and order. Judging from experience [Page 368] in Germany in 1933 this is nevertheless regarded as a relatively transitory phase.

While this naturally does not suggest any relaxation of our action and pressure in protection cases,25 it does nevertheless affect our tactics here in handling specific questions and cases.

Wilson
  1. See pp. 560 ff.