663.001/3–251: Telegram
The United States High Commissioner for Austria ( Donnelly) to the Secretary of State 1
1899. Message of Deptel 1699 March 1 [February 28]2 transmitted to Foreign Office this morning. Vollgruber in absence Minister Gruber said he felt government would warmly welcome course proposed by Department re Austrian treaty, which largely coincided with that favored by his government. He stated that our views would be forwarded by courier to Gruber in Salzburg today, who would have advantage this information when he proceeded on to Paris next week.
Vollgruber stated that Soviet political adviser Koptelov in recent conversations had gone out of his way to bewail western frustration of Soviets desires for treaty. Vollgruber expressed hope that in endeavoring preserve maximum west position in four of the articles we should not give Soviets an opportunity to capitalize on any alleged reluctance on our part to conclude treaty.
As Department is aware, Gruber finds it difficult to resist being nearby at meetings in which Austrian treaty is discussed, and he is taking advantage of OEEC meeting March 9 to arrive Paris few days earlier deputies meeting.