763.00/11–553: Telegram
No. 901
The United States High Commissioner
for Austria (Thompson) to the Department of
State
priority
1188. Gruber came under severe attack November 4 at closed meeting of People’s Party presidium for statements considered damaging to party in his forthcoming book Between Liberation and Freedom—Austria’s Special Case1 of which excerpts have appeared in two issues of Die Presse during last few days.
First excerpt printed November 1 was reasonably noncontroversial self-flattering description of Gruber’s part in CFM 1947 negotiations on Austria in Moscow. Second story, November 3, however, covered controversial “Figl-Fischer” negotiations in 1947 on possibility [Page 1928] of bringing Commies into Austrian Government. This excerpt made it appear that Figl and other OVP leaders were on point of agreement to form coalition with Commies leaving Socialists in opposition when Gruber saved them from their folly by breaking story in press and bringing about popular reaction against this move.
This plus considerable exaggeration of Gruber’s lone role in maintaining Austrian Government’s anti-Commie pro-Western stand during this period touched off bitter reaction not only by OVP leaders but also Socialists on grounds that such statements by current Cabinet member not only inopportune but possibly breach of Constitution.
Raab, Figl and others charged Gruber at presidium meeting with breach of party discipline and gave him to understand his reputation in party has been damaged almost beyond repair. They nevertheless agreed he should be retained as Foreign Minister provided there are no similar occurrences in future. Party’s special five-man “arbitration committee” to consider possible further action Gruber’s case plus that of Minister Kolb who has recently brought about public criticism of CVP by action against his popular sektionschef in charge of State operations.
Though further excerpt to appear November 5 and remainder of Gruber’s book (to be on sale next week) may cause flurries of criticism, it is not expected to be as provocative as that last published and will probably not result in any further action against Gruber for the moment. This whole controversy, however, has provided ammunition to Gruber’s many political enemies who may continue to urge Raab to demand his resignation. Though Raab apparently feels he still needs Gruber as Foreign Minister now and does not wish to make any immediate Cabinet changes, continuation of pressure by anti-Gruberites in People’s Party could conceivably weaken this position to point where Raab would ultimately consider Gruber’s elimination when he felt more securely established personally in his foreign relations.2
- The German-language edition of Gruber’s book appeared in Vienna in October 1953 both in book form and in extracts in the newspaper Die Presse. The English-language edition, entitled Between Liberation and Liberty. Austria in the Post-War World, was published in London in 1955.↩
- Four days later Thompson reported that Vienna was “still buzzing with Gruber affair.” In telegram 1228 from Vienna, Nov. 9, he noted that there was talk of Figl as Gruber’s successor and indicated that as High Commissioner he was endeavoring to “keep completely clear of whole affair.” (763.00/11–953) On Nov. 13 the Embassy was informed that Gruber would resign and that his resignation would be accepted, reported in telegram 1280 from Vienna. (763.13/11–1353) On Nov. 25 Leopold Figl was approved as the new Foreign Minister.↩