Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs 42. (1992)
NAUTZ, Jürgen: Österreichische Überlegungen zur wirtschaftlichen Integration Europas und zum europäischen Machtgleichgewicht. Die wirtschaftspolitischen Arbeiten Richard Schüllers im amerikanischen Exil 1943–1950
Jürgen Nautz trend to the left. Desire to revenge the crimes committed by the Germans, leftist explosions in Germany, the socialism of the industrial workers in Europe, the plight of the poor Eastern peasants, the Panslavism of the Slav countries all these currents will be reinforced by victorious Russian Bolshevism. But it is not unlikely that the period of post-war radicalism will be short and that it will be followed by preavailing conservative movements. That has happened after every great war. The people are weary of all revolutions; they want rest and security. Democratic checks and balances will be reestablished. Free political and social associations will be revived. The development of their home affairs, whatever it may be, will not change the basic feelings of the people in regard to a federation with their neighbors and in regard to a defense system supported by great powers. But the people will care more for peace and common defense, and less for full sovereignty than the governments in exile. III. The small countries of Europe have to face two capital economic problems: 1. Their home markets are too small for the development of their economy. 2. Germany’s economic preponderance impairs their economic and political independence. This second problem concerns not only the small nations; it is a political problem of first order. Germany is well situated geographically and economically for the development of her trade with the countries of South Eastern Europe. In 1958 the exports of these countries to Germany were about 250 million dollars, resulting from the diversion of Germany’s trade to South Eastern Europe. The total amount of this trade is not large but it represents 15, 50, 50 percent of the trade of the small countries. After the war these percentages will go down to lower levels; but the trade with Germany will remain important for South Eastern Europe. Putting obstacles in the way of this natural trend would not promote peace and welfare in these regions. But that does not imply giving the green light to German domination of central and South Eastern Europe and to German concerns swallowing the industries of the small countries. Most chemical plants, steel, works, mineral mines, electrical companies in Central and South Eastern Europe belonged to German companies or banks already before the war. During the war the German have “acquired” the rest of the heavy industries in this parts and in France, Belgium, Holland and Norway. These robberies will be restituted; no profit of their crimes can be left to the 360
