Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The British Commonwealth and Europe, Volume III

740.00119 EAC/9–2544: Telegram

The Ambassador in the United Kingdom (Winant) to the Secretary of State

London, September 25, 1944—midnight.
[Received September 25—11:59 p.m.]

7991. Cornea^1a 99. At today’s meeting of the EAC Strang² reported the substance of information contained in Department’s 7792, September 24, 9 p.m.³ He further announced that his Government had approached United States and Soviet Governments on September 24, proposing that armistice terms be presented as soon as possible to General Naday in Italy by Macmillan⁴ and by United States and Soviet representatives there, and asking whether this procedure was agreeable to the two other Governments and whether they would empower their representatives on the EAC to draft the terms. In accordance with Department’s 7791, September 24, 9 p.m.,⁵ and Department’s 7124, September 2, midnight, I stated that my Government was willing to discuss Hungarian armistice terms in the EAC. To my query Strang stated that it was not clear whether the Hungarian Government wished to fight Germany or merely to withdraw from the war. Strang felt that despite the absence of written credentials Naday’s approach is an authorized one and that he is a suitable channel for the communication of terms. The Soviet Delegate⁶ is referring to his Government for instructions.

The British Delegation proposes that a joint communication be made to the Hungarian Government on behalf of the three Governments, setting forth the evacuation of non-Hungarian territory as a pre-condition to presenting armistice terms. “The Governments of the United Kingdom, USA and USSR, having considered the request of the Hungarian Government for an armistice have decided that it is an indispensable prerequisite to the opening of armistice negotiations that the Hungarian Government should give an undertaking to withdraw all Hungarian troops and officials within the frontiers of Hungary as they existed on 31 December 1937. Such withdrawal must begin at once and must be completed within 15 days from the date of this communication. The Hungarian Government must undertake to receive in Hungary and afford all requisite facilities to such military representatives or missions as the three Allied Governments may send for the purpose of verifying and controlling the withdrawal.” In addition the British Delegation presented a draft armistice as follows:

“The following conditions have been presented by blank acting on behalf of the United Nations Governments at war with Hungary and have been accepted by the Hungarian Government. (1) Hostilities to cease between Hungary and the United Nations at blank hour blank date. (2) Hungary to sever all relations with Germany and other enemy powers; to disarm and intern enemy forces and nationals and to control enemy property. Enemy war material and property to be held at the disposal of the Allies. (3) Hungarian forces, officials and nationals to withdraw forthwith within the pre-1938 frontiers of Hungary. (4) The Supreme Allied Commanders to have the right to move their forces freely into or across Hungarian territory if the military situation requires or if the Hungarian Government fail in any respects to fulfill the terms of the armistice. (5) Hungary to carry out such measures of disarmament and demobilization as may be required. Hungarian war material to be held at the disposal of the Allies. (6) Hungary to release and take all necessary steps for the protection, maintenance and welfare of Allied prisoners of war and internees until repatriated. Lists of all such persons indicating their places of detention to be furnished. Hungary to supply information on United Nations displaced persons, to accept financial responsibility for them and to take such measures for maintenance, welfare and control as may be required by the Allies. Hungary to be responsible also for the control of enemy refugees and displaced persons under the direction of the Allies. (7) Hungary to comply with Allied requirements for the use and control of shipping and transport including Danubian navigation and transport facilities. (8) Hungary to release all persons detained for political or racial reasons or as a result of discriminatory legislation. Such legislation to be repealed and the effect of such legislation to be reversed. (9) Hungary to cooperate in the apprehension and trial of persons accused of war crimes. (10) Hungary to protect and restore all United Nations property; to make reparation for war loss and damage; and not to dispose of any of her assets without the consent of the Allies. (11) Hungary to furnish free of cost supplies, services and facilities as the Allies may require for the use of their forces, missions or agencies and such local currency as they may require for expenditure within Hungary. Hungary to redeem and hand over to the Allies free of charge any currency issued by them in Hungary. (12) Hungary to furnish such further supplies (including foodstuffs), services or facilities as the Allies may require. (13) Hungary to comply with any further Allied instructions for giving effect to the armistice and to the Allied interpretation thereof; to give all facilities to such missions as the Allies may send; and to meet Allied requirements for the reestablishment of peace and security. These instructions and requirements will be communicated to the Hungarian Government by an Allied Control Commission which will be appointed to Hungary for that purpose. Footnote to Articles II and V: war material includes all material or equipment belonging to, used by, or intended for use by enemy military or part [para]-military organizations and members thereof in connection with their operations.”

In the case of the negotiations over armistice terms for Bulgaria it will be essential for me to know at an early stage the Department’s views concerning the mode of signature, the character of the Control Commission and the proposed degree of the participation of smaller Allies particularly Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia in the formulation and presentation of the terms (my 7286, September 6, 8 p.m.).⁷

Winant

1. Series indicator for telegrams concerned with the work of the European Advisory Commission.
2. Sir William Strang, British representative on the European Advisory Commission.
3. See footnote 1, above.
4. Harold Macmillan, British Minister Resident at Allied Force Headquarters, Mediterranean Theater.
5. Not printed.
6. Feodor Tarasovitch Gousev, Soviet Representative on the European Advisory Commission.
7. Not printed.