863.4016/46: Telegram

The Minister in Austria (Stockton) to the Secretary of State

76. With reference to my telegram 74 [75], October 20, 5 p.m., I called on Chancellor on October 22nd and requested that the University authorities be urged to extend adequate protection to American students. The Chancellor expressed his deepest regret and assured me he would take immediate steps to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

Yesterday a delegation of American students called at the Legation and informed me three of them had been attacked at the University that morning but had not been seriously injured. They asked my protection. I advised them I had already called on the Chancellor in connection with the disorders at the University and would do so again. Last night I again invited the Chancellor’s attention to unprovoked attacks upon American students and expressed the opinion that if the University authorities were unable to extend protection the state should intervene. The Chancellor again expressed profound regret and assured me he would take immediate action.

The University was closed this morning for an indefinite period. The Rector called to express his regret and to assure me there would be no repetition of such assaults. The Vienna press has carried the story prominently. The Legation has the situation well in hand.

Stockton