863.00/10–1145: Telegram
The United States Political Adviser for Austrian Affairs (Erhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 12—1:40 p.m.]
326. Decisions Laender Conference,45 which ended yesterday, available en clair telegram No. 329/46 Only issue involving prolonged negotiations was question disfranchisement Nazi forthcoming election. We learn vigorous representations necessary persuade Volkspartei withdraw objections disqualification all Nazi party members and candidates. In political commission, which handled question disfranchisement, Volkspartei at first held [garbled group] proposing basic distinction treatment between pre and post 1938 Nazis, with local authorities black listing those persons basically compromised. Volkspartei admitted such procedure would fail exclude all real Nazi but contended disfranchisement many nominal members would transform them into genuine Nazis. Significant Gruber47 was official Volkspartei spokesman, no longer speaking for western provinces along [alone], Weissgatterer just succeeded Gruber as provincial governor Tyrol. Volkspartei delegates were apparently not unanimous but maintained good discipline.
Uncompromising opposition Communists forced Volkspartei yield on disfranchisement issue to avoid jeopardizing early holding elections. When Volkspartei objected absence perhaps 300,000 ballots would make Austria appear more Nazi than it is in fact Communists replied impression created abroad if Nazi votes would be worse.
Socialists attempted mediate, offering proposal those Nazi party candidates approved after local meeting might vote. Socialist delegation in beginning was split with Carinthian and Styrian representatives led by Styrian Provincial Gov Machold tending toward Volkspartei viewpoint, but party discipline finally prevailed and all Socialists [Page 627] led by Vice Mayor Speiser of Vienna finally sided with Communists, forcing Volkspartei yield or wreck conference.
Socialists admit they might have obtained considerable number of votes nominal Nazis Styria and Carinthia and do not believe Volkspartei will suffer considerable loss votes this election by virtue decision taken. They accuse Volkspartei however of fishing for Nazi vote next election.
Decision of juridical and economic commissions lack present major political significance.