864.00/6–1645: Telegram
The Representative in Hungary (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 17—8:16 a.m.]
165. Auer Pal71 has told us in confidence that in conversation with Erdei Min of Interior72 he learned that proposed arrangements for administration of electoral laws would include prior certification of each voter for non-Fascist attitude, redivision of voting districts which would favor increased proportionate representation of labor parties and presentation of single natl slate of candidates nominated by political [Page 829] parties. Auer as well as Zsedenyi73 and others are well aware this would have probable result of bringing labor coalition to power.
Auer warns us that electoral law and its administrative provisions may come into effect as governmental decree and be rushed through in manner similar to land reform decree (re AmPolAds 1137 and 114074 Squires 24 and 25 from Debrecen) with support or even by direction of chairman of ACC purporting to act for other members of Commission.
Foregoing and other recent reports lead me to point out that in present conditions it appears highly improbable that Hungarians themselves could design and create enduring constitutional and political structures without active cooperation of ACC. If such cooperation both in drafting electoral law and in supervising ensuing election is not forthcoming a situation menacing stability of this country and having other bad effects seems inevitable.
It is perhaps premature to worry about particular form of electoral law to govern proposed election here but it is not too early to give attention to manner in which any such law would now be administered. Min of Interior would have nominal administrative authority while ostensible reps of ACC in the person of some 20 Russian officers admitted by Voroshilov already to be in the provinces would have their share in steering election.
I respectfully recommend therefore that we take early opportunity to make it clear to Soviet Govt that US cannot view with indifference institution of electoral law which will set political pattern of Hungarian State and determine future welfare of Hungarian people without thorough consultation and harmonious cooperation among the Allies. If we are not to have our full tripartite responsibility in ACC we should certainly not accept result of its intervention in working out Hungarian electoral law or in supervising election. In that case we must be prepared for indefinite delay in real stabilization of this country which is I presume an American interest in this part of Europe.75
- Dr. Paul (Pal) Auer, Chief, Foreign Department of the Hungarian Smallholders Party; became Hungarian Ambassador to France in 1946.↩
- Ferenc Erdei, Hungarian Minister of the Interior; member of the Managing Committee of the Hungarian National Peasant Party and leader of the Communist-oriented wing of that party.↩
- Bela Zsedenyi, President of the Hungarian Provisional National Assembly.↩
- Neither printed.↩
-
In telegram 172, June 18, 6 p.m., Minister Schoenfeld reported having learned from Auer that Minister of Interior Erdei was well advanced in drafting the proposed electoral decree which would be promulgated with little more than a directive of the Soviet member of the ACC. Schoenfeld concluded:
“I urge that Dept take steps to prevent precipitate or routine treatment of so vital a matter on part of Soviet member ACC by insisting at Moscow upon need for careful consideration and tripartite action of both with regard to terms of electoral legislation here and supervision of coming election.” (864.00/6–1845)
↩