864.00/6–2745: Telegram
The American Representative in Hungary (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8:15 p.m.]
221. From government source it is learned that no measures have yet been taken by Hungarian authorities to deport Swabs.48 Russians have deported Hungarians with German names in Trans-Tisza region and from environs Budapest during the last 4 months. Number probably does not exceed 30,000. National Land Reform Council has considered Swab question in relation to land reform, and in the county of Baranyai Swabs in 11 villages were dispossessed and approximately 20,000 interned in camp near Bonyhad. Office of Public Welfare in Ministry of Interior now charged with handling of these matters has recently ordered the camp’s dissolution.
Swabs have been divided into four categories: (1) Leading members of Volksbund49 and SS50 whose property will be confiscated and who will be interned and eventually deported. (2) Ordinary members of Volksbund whose property will be confiscated but who will be moved into houses formerly occupied by those in category 1. They will work on public labor but will receive wages. (3) Swabs who supported Fascist ideas and will be transplanted within the frontiers. (4) Swabs who will suffer no restrictions.
Political behavior of Swabs will be judged individually by court of three consisting nominee from Office of Public Welfare having qualifications of judge, a local Hungarian, and Swab, who will be nominated by local Land Claimant Committee. With one exception noted, no internment has been ordered though political police have arrested number of Swabs but for political conduct only. Swabs have been transplanted in following communities: Urom, Pilisborosjeno, Soroksar, Taksony, and Budaors. In Budaors 600 persons were moved to [Page 1260] houses of friends and relatives. In general, measures are taken after individual consideration and not collectively. Certain counties have tendency to handle the Swab question more radically and in disregard of measures taken by government authorities.
Official sources state no large deportation of Swabs will take place inasmuch as country is in need of manpower to replace the Jewish deportations. Some 250,000 out of original German population of 540,000 would be subject to deportation as members of Volksbund. According to information now available probably not more than 20% this number will eventually be removed from the country.
- The Germans in Hungary are usually called Swabians or Swabs.↩
- Volksbund der Deutschen in Ungarn, recognized representative body of the German minority in Hungary; carried on pro-Nazi activity during World War II.↩
- Schutzstaffel, élite corps of the Nazi Party, used for military and political purposes.↩