Außenpolitische Dokumente der Republik Österreich 1918 - 1938. Band 6

Volume 6 "Years of sovereignty" contains the short period of real independent foreign affairs of the first Austrian Republic. On 9th June 1926 the council of the League of Nations finally accepted the financial stability of Austria and recalled general commissioner Zimmerman. But the period of the representative of the trustee of the Austrian government bonds who was also responsible for the pledged proceeds on customs and tobacco ended not before 30th june 1928. At the end of January 1928 the Allied Conference of Ambassadors stopped also the work of the liquidator who proceeded the duties of the Interallied Military Control Commission. When Ignaz Seipel entered in October 1926 upon his second administration the constellations of international affairs had changed visibly. Germany had become member of the League of Nations and besides had taken seat in its council, relevant for many European political questions. On the other hand Czechoslovakia had lost its ruling position in the Danube region since Locarno. Therefore Prague spent some efforts on looking for an "Eastern Locarno". At the same time the importance of the "Little Entente" has become smaller because of the détente between Italy and Hungary. Consequently the intended integration of Austria in a central European economical system of the Little Entente by the Yugoslavian foreign minister Marinkovich did not find any satisfying response. Of course Seipel knew that Austria had to break the chains of its limited economy. But - following a tradition since the foundation of the Austrian republic in 1918 - he was by no means willing to accept a solution without German participation. The few years of sovereignty the young republic could actually enjoy were reflected by the new won self confidence on foreign affairs as for instance Seipel`s successor federal chancellor Streeruwitz praised Austria "as a pillar of a thousand year lasting cultural mission". In realist politics Streeruwitz continued the strategy of friendly relations to all other states - especially the neighbouring countries. Naturally the German Reich still played an important role. Less obvious was the détente with Italy, initiated by federal chancellor Schober in February 1930, but already inaugurated by Seipel. As a matter of fact the relationship between Vienna and Rome had been burdened because of Italy`s policy of assimilation in Southern Tyrol under Mussolini`s fascist rule. Doubtless Schober`s visit to Rome started a new phase of friendly relations between the two countries which later was intensified by Hitler`s claim to power.