Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Paris Peace Conference, 1919, Volume XII
Paris Peace Conf. 184.01102/193
Professor A. C. Coolidge to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Received March 12.]
Sirs: I have the honor to enclose herewith a report on Bolshevism, by Captain John Karmazin. Some of the facts contained in it are interesting, though the tone is not judicial.
I have [etc.]
Captain John Karmazin to Professor A. C. Coolidge
Subject: Bolshevist propaganda in Slovakia.
General
The present Magyar government at Budapest is assiduously engaged in creating such conditions in Slovakia as are bound to be in favor of Bolshevism and is carrying on in Slovakia through shrewd agents who have an unlimited amount of money in their possession a Bolshevist propaganda in order to keep the country in turmoil and to discredit the government of the Czecho-Slovak republic.
Slovakia under Magyar rule was administrated by an official class composed of Magyars and Magyarones, the latter being renegade Slovaks who for the sake of material gain, and official favor betrayed their own kin. Consequently loyal Slovak workers were not to be found on the railroads, in post offices, telegraph and telephone service. These officials when requested by the Czecho-Slovak government to take the oath of allegiance, refused to do so. Upon the advice from leading Magyar agents at Budapest these traitorous employees were advised to take the oath and then to forget its solemnity and work against the interests of the Czecho-Slovak government.
This activity led to the fomenting of strikes under the guise of economic demands, but which were in fact called only for political purposes to engender social unrest, disrupt the organization for provisioning, and to reduce in every way possible efficient government under the new Czecho-Slovak republic. The Magyar agents go among the Slovak people and try to show them what a mistake it would be to live under these inefficient, helpless Czechs who are seeking to enslave them.
The favored classes under the old Magyar government are all working openly and secretly against the new government of the Czecho-Slovak republic. These classes are composed of landed proprietors, who as a class are Magyars, Jewish merchants, who formerly had a [Page 357] monopoly of the liquor dispensing trade, teachers whose appointment was made to serve the ends of Magyarization, government officials and all workers in every branch of the late government service.
The Bolshevist Propaganda:
The Bolshevist propaganda is spread by means of pamphlets, circulars and newspapers published by the “Communistic Society” at Budapest, this literature being printed (as was reported to us) at the government printing office at Budapest. This propaganda is printed in three languages, Slovak, Czech and Magyar and seeks to appeal to the workingman and farm laborers. Another variety of propaganda makes an appeal to the Czecho-Slovak soldiers calling upon them not to fight their “brothers” and promising them high wages and food. In order to tempt them, the Magyar government pays its own soldiers 30 crowns a day, 10 days in advance. It also pays unemployed workingmen the same rate of wages.
Professor B. J. Kerner and I visited the former DuPont Powder Works at Pressburg. The manager who is a German, informed us that in war time they employed 5000 workingmen. The present number is about 1000. There has been a political strike here, but in spite of it 700 workingmen principally Slovak have remained loyally at work. They receive 16 crowns per day. Every day, however, they are tempted by Magyar agents with offers of 30 crowns per day if they will quit work and join the “communists” (Bolshevist) society.
Magyar aeroplanes appear frequently especially over Pressburg, from which Bolshevist pamphlets and circulars are scattered. Dr. Srobar, minister of the Czecho-Slovak republic, for Slovak affairs resident at Pressburg showed us copies of circulars, pamphlets and secret code letters, through which they discovered thousands of copies of Bolshevist circulars and all kinds of fire-arms stored at city of Nitra. Professor R. J. Kerner will submit originals with his report.61
Land Question.
About 75% of the land in Slovakia belongs to large landed estates and 25% to small peasant holders. Of this 25% about % is so heavily mortgaged that we can say that only about 10% actually belongs to the peasant class. The best class among the peasantry are those who have lived for several years in the United States and have returned here. This class is now carrying out the democratization of the people and exerting a strong influence toward maintaining law and order and keeping up the patient struggle for a better day.
Schools.
All school teachers under the former Magyar regime were unacquainted with the Slovak language and after the liberation of Slovakia [Page 358] when the people demanded the teaching of their own mother tongue, the schools were suddenly without teachers. The new government of the Czecho-Slovak republic called upon volunteer Czech teachers for the higher institutions. They also called on those Slovaks who formerly resided in the U.S.A. to teach and give talks about democracy in the U. S. as about one-half of the male population of Slovakia had been in the U.S. at one time or other. This system is producing a fine result considering the short time it has been in effect and the imperfections that naturally are a part of it.
The Food Situation.
The food situation is generally bad. The only food to be seen among the peasants is poor grade black bread and potations [potatoes?]. Several countries are even without bread. In passing through cities and villages one sees, underfed women and children, poorly clothed in many cases entirely barefoot walking in the snow and slush. As a result of this condition many people to whom the Bolshevist promises from Budapest are extended, get restless and threatening.
Army.
The present Czecho-Slovak troops in Slovakia are legionaries from Italy and France as well as newly organized units of former soldiers of the late Austrian army. The legionaries from France are usually Americans of Slovak or Czech origin who render excellent service, maintaining strict discipline among themselves, law and order in the communities and keeping down the effects of Bolshevist propaganda. The legionaries complain against the Italian commanders who have been placed at the head of the army of occupation, accusing these officers of a pro-Magyar tendency. They accuse them of mingling with the Magyars’ high society in the large cities where there are few Slovaks who can offer them social entertainments.
Government.
The government of Slovakia is now in the hands of loyal, patriotic Slovaks with headquarters at Pressburg. These officials are lawyers, doctors, engineers, priests and ministers, and a few farmers, who though they are not experienced are energetic, conscientious men. The Czechs are only taking part in the organization of the railroads, replacing the Magyar officials who were disorganizing wilfully the transportation system of Slovakia. These men who are now heading the government of Slovakia are intensely nationalistic free of all Utopian dreams, being highly practical and tireless workers. Bolshevist appeals and schemes find no sympathy among them.
Conclusion.
The mass of the Slovak workingmen and peasants are not inclined to Bolshevism. They are extremely nationalistic and patriotic to the [Page 359] core. A great many left the U.S.A. where conditions would have meant to them greater prosperity than in Slovakia, and are doing all in their power to help their less enlightened kinsmen to appreciate their new found freedom and opportunity. But it would be foolish to underestimate the effect of the Bolshevik propaganda which is being carried on at present by the Magyars through wholesale bribery. The offer of enormous wages and large quantities of food cannot fail to appeal to the ignorant classes who are in great poverty and want. It is, however, to be hoped that the new currency reform in the Czechoslovak state (the nationalization of the crown by stamping) will prevent the Magyars to some extent from further bribery and corruption.
Food is the first necessity and clothing is next. The gravity of existing conditions cannot be exaggerated. Raw materials, wool, cotton and leather are badly needed and should be sent as soon as possible in order that the people can find employment in the making of their own clothing and shoes. The Budapest government should be stopped at once in its desperate effort to poison the Slovak people with Bolshevist propaganda.