[Enclosure]
The Archduke Otto of Austria to
President Truman3
Dear Mr. President, In view of the
impending international decisions I take the liberty to
write to you on the Austrian situation. I believe that I can
do so as I am in daily contact not only with the former
Austrian Resistance Movement, but also with the majority
political parties and local administrations.
The situation after two months of liberation is certainly not
as it should be. Divided into four zones of occupation, the
living body
[Page 660]
of the
Austrian State is cut to pieces. There is no overall
economic and no overall political planning. The economic
situation is almost desperate. The Allied troops of
occupation, despite orders, are living on the country. The
Provincial Administrations are receiving no authority—with
the exception of the one in the French occupational zone—and
have thus no means to fight the spreading doom. Owing to the
inactivity of the Allied military authorities there is no
harvesting, the factories do no longer run. There is general
unemployment. Inflation is spreading. All this will lead to
an unprecedented catastrophe in a few weeks. In the Russian
zone the Russian troops of occupation have carried away the
complete industrial equipment and are looting systematically
the private dwellings.
To top the economic difficulties the Americans and British
have issued a policy of non-fraternisation, in contrast to
the French. This policy of non-fraternisation, which creates
a feeling that the Allies are treating the Austrians as if
they were Germans, is considered by the Austrians as a grave
injustice. To this are added general interdictions to travel
or to ship goods, suppression of the mails, the telephone
and the telegraph, general abuses in the requisition and a
curfew for the population, all things justified in conquered
aggressor countries, but not for liberated friends. We were
the first country to fight the Germans, and if we collapsed
in 1938 it was because we were hopelessly outnumbered and
abandoned by the Western Powers. Our Resistance Movement was
as strong, considering the situation, as in other
countries.
The political freedom has not been re-established. We have no
free press and no means of creating a healthy democratic
public life.
The Russians have been sponsoring a communist-dominated
regime of their own in Vienna. There have been rumours that
the Allies will eventually recognize this communist regime,
the so-called “provisional Government”. I can assure you
that the overwhelming majority of the Austrians would refuse
to accept such a Government, because they do not want the
elections controlled by the Austrian Communists, who
avowedly strive for dictatorship and would do anything to
impair the honesty of the elections. They furthermore will
not accept to be ruled by the communist party.
This is the situation. May I take the liberty to suggest a
few measures that ought to be taken in order to bring
Austria again to a life of freedom and to do justice to the
Austrian people.
- 1)
- Authorization of the establishment of strong
Governments in each of the Provinces, who can act under
their own responsibility. (These Provinces are: Tyrol,
Vorarlberg, Salzburg, Kaernten, Oberoesterreich and
Steiermark. This does not include Niederoesterreich,
Burgenland and Vienna, who are under Russian
occupation).
- 2)
- Liberty for the Austrian Governments of the Provinces
to communicate with each other and to come to
understandings on common matters.
- 3)
- Assurance that the self-styled provisional Government
of Vienna, presided by Dr. Renner, will not be recognized by the
Allies.
- 4)
- Abolishment of the policy of non-fraternisation by the
American and British forces.
- 5)
- Authorization of the establishment of a free
press.
- 6)
- Stoppage of the present inflation through a united
plan for the whole Austrian area.
- 7)
- Inclusion of Austria in the general Allied relief
program.
- 8)
- Liberty for the Governments of the Austrian Provinces
to deport German citizens who are at this time a major
scourge for the country.
I am certain, Mr. President, that these measures would permit
a rapid consolidation inside Austria. They would give
Austria the start it needs to rise from its ruins. On the
other hand, a continuation of the present policy will lead
the country to anarchy.
Knowing your generous sympathies for my country, I am
bringing these problems before you because I am convinced
that in pursuance of the great policy of America with
regards to Austria you will order that my country be started
as soon as possible on the way to consolidation and
freedom.
Wishing you the blessings of the Almighty in these days when
one of the greatest responsibilities in human history will
lie on your shoulders, I am [etc.]
