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863.00/1168
The Minister in
Austria (Messersmith) to the Under Secretary Of State (Phillips)
[Extract]
VIENNA, February 8, 1935.
DEAR MR. PHILLIPS:
There is no use in having any illusions as to
what Hitler and the Party want. They have their eyes on Memel, Alsace-Lorraine
and the Eastern frontier. They nourish just as strongly the hope to get the
Ukraine for the surplus German population and to get the fertile lands which
Germany "must have". Austria is a definite objective, with absorption
or hegemony over the whole of Southeastern Europe definite policy. As long as
Hitler and National Socialism remain in power in Germany, Europe will have to
deal with these aspirations, pacts or no pacts. With the present regime out of
the way the danger is lessened and the field of ambition more restricted, but
it would be
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DOCUMENTS
illusory to believe that the danger of Germany to European peace is
definitely eliminated. The only thing that can hold Germany in line is a
concert of the powers so close and definite that Germany policy will be
reoriented. The danger to Europe can still be averted, for the German people,
although warlike, have shown themselves docile under strong leadership.
Probably in no other country in Europe could a Government have done with its
people what this present one has done with Germany in the past two years.
Germany can be led into being a good neighbor and into being a bad one,
depending on her Government.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
G. S. MESSERSMITH