Paris Peace Conf. 181.9202/249: Telegram
General Bandholtz to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Received November 18—10:30 a.m.]
206. Please have following telegram delivered:
“Supreme Council, Peace Conference, Paris. Conditions in city of Budapest and vicinity since Hungarian reoccupation have, everything [Page 723] considered, been excellent. Admiral Horthy’s troops have shown themselves to be well disciplined and under control. Before leaving Budapest General Mardarescu promised this Mission to loan 53 motor trucks to food distributors. He turned over only 36 many without wheels or motors and all practically unserviceable and then took these away when he left. It is recommended that Roumanian Government be required to return 53 serviceable motor trucks for purpose stated. In case there exists the erroneous impression that an Allied officer [is] in command of Hungarian police and gendarmes it is desired to state that an Allied officer has been supervising the reorganization of police and gendarmes, but in no sense has been in command or general control of same. (Signed) Interallied Military Mission.”
Big procession yesterday morning and big gala opera last night to celebrate Roumanian evacuation. No member of Interallied Military Mission attended either although British Admiral Troubridge and French Admiral with their staff occupied conspicuous boxes at opera and also attended public mass in the morning. Friedrich Government is about to publish election proclamation. Indications are that he will not form coalition with Socialists and it is believed importance of latter is overestimated.