Office of the Historian

32. Telegram From the Department of State to the Office of the High Commissioner for Austria1

Washington, April 21, 1955—1:26 p.m.

2953. New York Times today carries MacCormac article datelined Vienna April 20 quoting Neue Zeitung (sic) report of contents guarantee Austrians will ask. Quotes Government spokesman as saying while article could not be regarded as official “it could be considered correct”. Article states four powers required guarantee independence, integrity and inviolability Austria and recognize her neutrality. Guarantee would make infringement guaranteed points by any one of four or other state casus belli obliging any or all guarantors intervene. Guarantee would also contain specific provision against Anschluss.

In addition talk you already planned with Raab (Embtel 2383 concurred in by Deptel 29402) urge you emphasize to Raab in strongest terms if not already done, difficulties we foresee if Austrians continue conduct treaty matter without greater care and close confidential prior consultation with West. Raab seems bent on exercising independence before Austria receives it and therefore to have completely abandoned traditional cooperation with West at time when it may prove necessary. Not only will such behavior greatly increase negotiating problem for us with Soviets but possibilities obtaining congressional approval any guarantee (should we decide ask for one) will be seriously diminished. We are speaking similarly to Gruber and hope British and French will do likewise.3

Hoover
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 663.001/4–2155. Secret; Niact. Drafted by Freund and signed for the Acting Secretary of State by Elbrick. Repeated to Moscow, Paris, and London.↩
  2. In telegram 2383, Thompson asked for authorization to talk to Raab and to explain the U.S. point of view. In telegram 2940, the Department of State authorized his talk with Raab. (Both ibid., 461.6341/4–2055)↩
  3. Deputy Under Secretary Murphy spoke with Ambassador Gruber along these lines during the afternoon of April 21. Gruber undertook to query his government about the story, but insisted that there was no text of a guarantee. (Telegram 2957 to Vienna, April 21; ibid., 663.001/4–2155)↩