864.00/7–1345: Telegram
No. 313
The Representative in
Hungary (Schoenfeld) to the Acting Secretary of
State
1
283. Valentiny, resigning Minister of Justice, called today to take leave. He reiterated statement that Govt’s lack of control over political police which remains instrument of Communist Party was most dangerous element in present political situation. He was sure his successor would be no better able to secure submission of political police to governmental authority than he had been. He expected reprevision [repression?] of all non-Communist political activity to be further extended. He again intimated hope US would exert its influence in favor of democratic political developments here but was pessimistic crediting Soviet authorities with definite purpose of Sovietizing Hungary.
Alluding again to restrictions by Russians on public information here he indicated desire for active American intervention in this respect.
I was able only to assure Valentiny of our hope that increased facilities for information and free discussion as well as free political activity would follow agreement among Allies in spirit of Crimea Declaration on these and related matters at forthcoming Conference of Big Three.
. . . . . . .
- The gist of this message was included in telegram No. 43 of July 17 from Grew to Byrnes (file No. 800.00 Summaries/7–1745).↩