863.00/11–1245: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser for Austrian Affairs (Erhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 13—1:10 p.m.]
445. Dept’s 223 October 29, 8 p.m.94 Dominating fact about political composition present Govt Ministries and bureaucracy is that thoroughly Democratic National Cabinet and Vienna City Council, though reflecting compromises demanded by 3 party coalition and composition People’s Party, was superimposed upon and controls old civil service hierarchy from which have been dismissed former Nazis, though to my knowledge no clerical Fascists.
All Austrian Govt Ministries from rank of Section Chief downward are dominated by previous adherents Christian Social Party, some of whom were prominent supporters Dollfuss-Schuschnigg régimes.95 Socialist deplore this fact but state the People’s Party monopoly of these positions, which it took them 15 years to achieve, means complete chaos would result if wholesale dismissals occurred. A few other individuals who were continued in office by the Nazis are also still employed.…
[Here follows a list of officials still in office who were at one time connected with clerical-fascist organizations.]
Our considered opinion is that National, Viennese City and Provincial Govts are highly competent. Renner Cabinet has produced legislation remarkable both in quantity and quality and its administrative record, given enormously difficult conditions of operation, has been excellent. It has been particularly skilled in its dealings with the Allied Council and with the various elements of the Council.
From your report it is obvious disfranchisement of former Nazis and elimination prominent Heimwehr and Sturmscharen from public office by American Military Govt has been confused in American press. These are 2 separate issues. Neither American Military Govt nor any responsible Austrian group has advocated the disfranchisement of Heimwehr and Sturmscharen. Since both these groups connected with former Christian Social Party, only People’s Party, the direct heirs of the Christian Socials, have, however, protested dismissals owing affiliation these organizations.
Though People’s Party throughout Austria is critical of Military Govt decision, antagonism is centered in western and southern provinces. [Page 652] Formal protests have been made only in Salzburg but this is probably because only Salzburg Military Govt has moved to implement “Austro-Fascist” provision of Denazification Directive.