763.00/9–2650: Telegram

The United States High Commissioner for Austria ( Keyes ) to the Department of the Army

confidential

P–5610. For CSGPO, Information CSGID, State Department and EUCOM sgd Keyes. A rowdy demonstration of 10,000 (estimated) [Page 405] Communists in Vienna’s first bezirk (under US chairmanship this month) started at approximately 1030 hours in protest of terms of announcement by trade union federation chairman Boehm that agreement had been reached on fourth price wage pact. Communists announced their opposition to terms, which included increase in both prices and wages. Communists demanded increase in wages with no increase in prices, and stated intention of peaceful demonstration. Normal Austrian police alerts made by Ministry of Interior.

By 1100 hours a group of 6,000 demonstrators over-ran police lines near Ministry of Interior and proceeded to the Austrian Federal Chancellery. Police re-enforcements used fire hoses, but were unable to overcome demonstrators. 400 police guarding Austrian Federal Chancellery stoned. Federal Chancellor1 urgently requested US assistance. CG USFA directed alert of American troops in Vienna, and instructed CG HQ Command (chairman of VIAC 2 for this month) to call extraordinary session of VIAC commanders. Soviet commander did not participate. British and French commanders alerted their Vienna garrisons. Original request from Chancellery for assistance urgently repeated three times. However, Minister of Interior Helmer stated Austrian police capable of handling situation under existing conditions and requested no immediate intervention.

USFA reports indicated Federal Government officials, including Chancellor, not in imminent danger and that demonstration and riot was of political nature. Hence, no Allied troops committed.

By 1215 hours evidence of violence decreased and by 1330 hours mob dispersed under instructions of its leaders. Allied troops released from alert at 1500 hours.

Meeting of USIA shop stewards announced for 1800 hours today at which time decision as to further demonstrations will be made.

A splinter group returning to factories drove British personnel into Sacker (British) Hotel and into a police station for protection. Another such group of approximately 250 demonstrators assembled in front of American Bristol Hotel, but were dispersed by about 450 Austrian police. Austrian reports indicated demonstrators interrupted rail traffic at Eastbahnhof in Soviet tenth bezirk and in outlying areas in Soviet zone.

Situation in Vienna as of 1600 hours appeared normal.

[
Keyes
]
  1. Dr. Leopold Figl.
  2. Vienna Inter-Allied Command.