Paris Peace Conf. 184.011102/217a: Telegram
The Commission to Negotiate Peace to the Secretary of State
3351. [From White and Bliss.] Council of Five decided yesterday to issue to Hungarian people the statement84 published in to-day’s papers, and of which you will receive copy, with summary of minutes of the meeting, because Hoover’s representative, also British and French representatives, at Vienna feel confident that Boehm, now Hungarian Minister to Austria, but evidently not loyal to Bela Kun, will be able to overthrow him and his Government, provided nation assured that peace will be made with any government representing the people. Boehm has given certain assurances to the aforesaid representatives as to calling of Assembly and other popular measures in the event of his overturning Bela Kun, and Council of Five decided that while it would be unwise for Peace Conference to enter into any relations with Boehm, through its representatives at Vienna, the statement now issued would probably furnish the assurance to the nation, which he feels to be necessary in order to overthrow Bela Kun. Boehm has intimated that a month may be necessary before Kun can be got rid of. Halstead concurs in views expressed by other representatives but we have instructed him to take no part in negotiations directly or indirectly. The decision to issue the statement was made as an alternative to an attack upon Bela Kun by Roumanians, and Czecho-Slovak troops, or the parts of two French divisions, which Marshal Foch seemed to think would bring about his fall; but Clemenceau expressed himself very strongly as to his unwillingness to risk the life of a single French soldier in such an enterprise inasmuch as no assistance would be forthcoming from us or from Great Britain, and French nation pressing for rapid demobilization. White, Bliss.
- See HD–15, minute 2, vol. vii, p. 317.↩