Paris Peace Conf. 184.011102/163: Telegram

Mr. Albert Halstead to the Commission to Negotiate Peace

620. Foreign Secretary Bauer believes strike on 21st will be peaceful. It was agreed by Bauer and Adler to secure peace during demonstration on 20th, it being feared that otherwise trouble police would occur on 20th. All other sections Vienna expect no trouble, the solution pacifying the communism at least temporarily. Colonel Cunningham, English representative, saw Bauer today after consultation with me. Bauer informed him that Boehm’s section [sic] acceptance as minister here16 is really in interests of Hungarian Social Democracy. Boehm is not Bolshevik and Bauer will discuss with him possible throwing out of Bela Kun and Bolshevik extremists. Bauer desired to know whether he should negotiate or whether Cunningham and I desired to do it. He was informed he should talk with Boehm and submit (omission) [proposals?]. Asked what conditions would be imposed, Cunningham declared himself unable to make them but that certain the Bolsheviks would have to go, that terror must end and connection with Russian Bolsheviks and before Entente would consider anything. Bauer asked about Soviet Government and Cunningham answered cautiously so as not to destroy possibilities and indicated importance of peasants and of final participation of all people discussed only to ascertain possibilities. Borghese, Italian representative, will be informed but French so unpopular in Hungary and with Italians who have great influence in Hungary that until something more develops they will not be consulted.

Opportunity offered to someone to settle Hungarian difficulties. Therefore my attitude. Of course I shall promise nothing but do request that I be informed what changes in Hungarian Government United States of America demands so I can be guided in (?) [my?] action.

Regard changes to Social Democracy as most important and think peasant and other influences would shortly make government real representative and possible. I believe we should indirectly encourage this move. It can be done without promise to recognize but by indicating sympathy with any change from Bolshevism which necessarily would be for improvement.

Accessions of Red Guard officers and soldiers to White Guards at Szeged reported as well as gradual disintegration Red Army. While consider reports somewhat exaggerated believe discipline is lessening; also learn that offensive by Szeged Government probable in conjunction [Page 545] Roumania. This seems improbable because Whites lack arms and hate Roumania. Bauer declared today German-Austria is not trying to unite with Germans, that the conference at Weimar was only in regards to similarity of legislature [legislation?] in connection with proposed assessment on fortunes. No treaty of alliance was considered.

Halstead
  1. See despatch No. 336, July 18, p. 548.