Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The British Commonwealth, Western and Central Europe, Volume V

740.00119 EW/1–1946

The Secretary of State to the United States Political Adviser for Austria (Erhardt)

secret

Washington, February 12, 1946—9 p.m.

135. Suggestions urtel 87 Jan 19⁴⁵ are strongly supported by Dept. Notes presented by US to Moscow, Paris, London are repeated to you as well as instructions to Dunn⁴⁶ to propose inclusion of preparation of draft treaty on agenda of deputies.

Draft treaty now being drawn up here for presentation in London based on suggestions in your 87 and other proposals by Dept which will be transmitted to you for comment. In view of desirability of concluding treaty in May and short time involved Dept urges that your specific recommendations be sent here as soon as possible and repeated to London.

Dept will propose to War Dept that instructions be sent to Gen Clark to inform Council of US proposal, but considers actual negotiation of draft treaty should be carried out in London.

Please make clear in your discretion to Austrian Govt that four-power agreement is necessary for conclusion of treaty but that agreement is made extremely difficult by Soviet attitude as expressed in P–2438 Feb 6.⁴⁷ Such objectives as reduction of occupation forces and conclusion of final treaty can not be achieved without Soviet agreement which apparently will not be forthcoming as long as Soviets regard Austria as “fascist” state. While Dept will not propose any change in Austrian Govt, it is clear that Austrian policy will have important influence on Soviet attitude towards conclusion of treaty and Austrian Govt should be impressed with difficulties reported in P–2438.

Dept concurs that it would be desirable to settle problem German assets prior to any final determination of Austrian status in Europe but does not consider that negotiation of treaty should be delayed on this account.

You wall be kept fully informed of details of draft treaty now in preparation here.

Brynes

45. Not printed, but see Mr. Riddleberger’s memorandum of January 31, p. 299.
46. See telegram 1453 to London, February 12, supra.
47. In this telegram, not printed, General Clark gave a detailed description of Soviet attempts to take over the Danubian Steamship Company and four other companies in Vienna. (Department of the Army files)