Paris Peace Conf. 181.9202/26: Telegram
General Bandholtz to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Received August 20—11:30 p.m.]
20. Pursuant to telegraphic instructions from the Supreme Council15 a report on Hungarian political situation will probably be wired tomorrow by Military Mission. This report will be a composite of memoranda from the four representatives. The memorandum of the undersigned was as follows:
“To consider the present political situation one must start in at least with the assumption of the reins of government by the Archduke Joseph.
Taking advantage of the fact that the Socialist Government had been started but a few days and that an enemy was in possession of the city, a coup d’état was pulled off by about 50 gendarmes with the accessory passivity of the Roumanians. The Archduke himself has shown that when it comes to diplomacy, political matters and the administration of a government he is still a babe in swaddling clothes. This is demonstrated by the seriousness with which he took an anonymous ultimatum, and by the various ridiculous administrative stunts he has pulled off. He is probably, when all is considered, quite popular in Hungary, but his popularity is neither so extensive nor so deep-rooted as he seems to imagine. It is believed he has been misled by his intimates, who have lured him into believing that he is the almost unanimous choice of the people of Hungary. However, either independently, or influenced by his mercenary advisors, he is believed to have been taking measures to perpetuate his office by declaring martial law with the announced intention of arresting Bolshevists. This is undoubtedly a transparent camouflage to conceal the real intention of disposing of all political opponents and of assuring his ultimate election.
The Hungarians had barely disentangled themselves from the meshes of bolshevism when the present regime came into existence. It would be a calamity if either the Bolshevists or the Hapsburg[s] were allowed to control Hungary. To prevent this it is important that some strong men of real popularity and influence along all classes be placed in charge and given every assistance in reorganizing a semipermanent government. To restore a Hapsburg at this time when it is in the memory of everybody that the unfortunate dynasty was the intentional or unintentional cause of the Great War would seriously affect all the Allies and would give an impulse to bolshevism.
In brief, the Hungarian political situation is believed to be critical, but not beyond remedy. If the Roumanian Government will shift their gear from first to third and do their best to facilitate the organization of a government and the creation of a police force and an army of suitable size, and to arrange for gradual but prompt withdrawal behind its own recognized boundary, it is believed the present deplorable condition in Hungary can soon be brought to an end.”
- See HD–32, minute 1 and appendix C, vol. vii, pp. 694 and 709.↩