Paris Peace Conf. 184.011102/261
Mr. Albert Halstead to the Secretary of State90
Subject: Conditions in Hungary.
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my dispatch No. 16 of yesterday in regard to the change of government in Hungary, and to add some further comments which the latest news seems to make desirable:
The favorable impression caused by the overthrow of the Bolshevik Government is increased by the news of the second day’s developments. The promise of Foreign Minister Agoston to call a constitutional assembly shows a purpose to erect a representative government as soon as possible. The statement that there would be no immediate socialization, that is, no further socialization until a constitutional government has been created, but that industries that have already been socialized will continue to manufacture for the benefit of the community, strengthens the feeling that something is actually being done toward restoring order to Hungary.
Count Bethlen, the representative in Vienna, of the so-called Szeged Government, according to an interview in the Neue Freie Presse, assumes an encouraging attitude. He was naturally constrained to at once call attention to the fact that though the new government calls itself democratic it is in no sense democratic, because it is based on a small minority. He adds, however, that it is the first step toward re-establishment of order, and should be met with complaisance.
The attitude of the government of German-Austria toward the new government appears wholly correct. Its internment of the members of the former Bolshevik government, including Bela Kun, and its expressed willingness to hand these persons over to any authority that is desirous to take them, is an evidence of strength and of willingness to meet the possible wishes of the Allies and associates.
The telegrams from this mission have recommended that the new government, without being recognized until it has become representative through the holding of elections, should be permitted to import raw materials, coal, food, paper, and other necessities. To make this possible it was urged that the blockade should be immediately removed.
Colonel Cunningham, the British representative, called at this mission while this dispatch was being dictated. He informs me that lie saw William Boehm, the Hungarian Minister, this morning, and expressed the desire of the new Hungarian Government to erect a constitutional government at the earliest moment possible, and said he hoped that that could be done within ten weeks. He was asked whether [Page 626] it would be possible to include representatives of other classes of the people, including the Szeged Government, in the new cabinet. Boehm replied that this could not be done within eight days; the intimation was that it might then be possible. In reply to a further inquiry he indicated that they did not expect the immediate lifting of the blockade. He implied, however, that such action would be very gratifying. Colonel Cunningham suggested that it was highly desirable, in addition to the Allies’ requirements in the note of July 27,91 that the mines should be immediately removed from the Danube. Mr. Boehm seemed to approve this idea.
There have been some indications of an effort to separate the French and the Italians and to cause them not to act in harmony in connection with the new Hungarian Government. I think I should say in this connection that though Monsieur Minister Allizé was doubtful at one time as to the possibility of overthrowing the Bela Kun government through indirect assistance of the missions here, there has been no real difference in opinion but the fullest accord. While I did not participate in the conferences after instructions from the commission in Paris, I kept in a position to know that harmony did exist. It seems desirable to refer to the attitude of the French and Italians to one another because of the telegram to the peace commission from Lieutenant-Colonel Romanelli,92 in which he stated that the new government would accept the eight points which the missions here had tentatively prepared, and which had been presented by Lieutenant-Colonel Cunningham and Prince Borghese. To this I am informed Monsieur Clemenceau replied93 that the Peace Commission could not recognize any terms except those approved by all missions.
I think it is proper at this moment to point out that had it not been for the conferences which occurred between Colonel Cunningham and Prince Borghese with the representatives of the soviet, Bela Kun would not have been deposed, massacres would have occurred in the streets of Budapest, and the Roumanian Army would have been in Budapest and have the city. The presence of this army, regarded by the Hungarians as their bitterest enemies, would not have made for any permanency of good order. It seems highly desirable that the Hungarians should be enabled to solve their own problems now that they have started so well, without military interference in the form of a large force.
I have [etc.]
- Copy transmitted to the Commission by Mr. Halstead under covering letter No. 371, August, 3; received August 5.↩
- See HD–15, minute 2, vol. vii, p. 317.↩
- Of August 1; appendix A to HD–22, ibid., p. 489.↩
- Telegram dated August 2; appendix B to HD–22, ibid., p. 490.↩