740.00119 European War 1939/1614: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Standley) to the Secretary of State
[Received August 28—2:30 a.m.]
1196. Personal for the Secretary. In conversation with Molotov29 last night the British Ambassador30 informed the Foreign Minister of [Page 498] certain Hungarian peace feelers which had come to the attention of his Government. These feelers involved an approach to the British Embassy in Istanbul made by a certain Veres, a Hungarian official who claimed he represented a group made up of the Hungarian Prime Minister, the Minister of Interior, the General Staff, and other important Hungarian officials. The approach encompassed the unconditional surrender of Hungary. Clark Kerr stated that British Embassy had been instructed to verify Veres’ good faith and to listen to what he had to say but to take no further action. Molotov appeared to be somewhat suspicious and asked many questions as to who Veres represented and how the British Government viewed the matter. Clark Kerr stated that his Government believed that Veres was worth listening to and that once his full story had been known it would, of course, be communicated to the Soviet Government.