Foreign Relations of the United States, Diplomatic Papers, 1945, Europe, Volume IV

864.00/8–2545: Telegram

The Representative in Hungary (Schoenfeld) to the Secretary of State

Budapest, August 25, 1945—3 p.m.
[Received 4:30 p.m.]

473. Referring to Voroshilov’s vehement denial at ACC meeting on August 22 that he had proposed holding early election here.⁴³ Department will be interested to learn that Zsedenyi, President National Assembly, called on me yesterday and gave me full account of matter. He said Voroshilov had summoned him and PriMin August 15 and had stated national election must be held here by end of September. Zsedenyi had pointed out it was administratively impossible to hold election so soon but that it was intended at forthcoming session of National Assembly scheduled for September 5 to consider electoral legislation with view to preparing for election perhaps at end of year or in early spring. Zsedenyi explained to me he had not stated to Voroshilov his real thought which was that he desired election postponed until withdrawal of Soviet occupation forces and pending reduction of irresponsible power of political police which involved terrorism precluding normal political activity. His further thought, unexpressed to Voroshilov, was, he said, hope that ACC control might be “broadened”, meaning increased Anglo-American influence in other work of ACC. Zsedenyi and Miklos, nevertheless, agreed to expedite preparation of electoral bill which was to come up for consideration at cabinet meeting early this week.

Meanwhile Zsedenyi said Erdei, Minister of Interior, had drafted proposed decree governing Budapest election with view to holding same in September and setting precedent for national election early in October. Zsednyi on examining proposed decree, pointed out to Cabinet not only that this important matter required legislative consideration in National Assembly but also that decree as drafted contemplated time elements which would, in any case, defer election date to November and was, therefore, inconsistent with Erdei’s purpose to hold national election in October. Moreover, Smallholders Party, as reported in mytel 467, August 22,⁴⁴ objected to issuance of electoral decree and endorsed Zsedenyi’s view that it must be matter for legislation. Consequently Cabinet meeting rejected Erdei’s proposed decree (my telegram 468, August 23⁴⁴). Following these developments Zsedenyi and Miklos saw Voroshilov and Pushkin again August 23 and Russians expressed disinterest in election matter.

Zsedenyi sought from me assurance that ACC control would be “broadened”, especially in view of expected political effects of disastrous shortage of food and fuel next fall. I was able only to refer to your recent statements on Rumania and Bulgaria election questions⁴⁵ and to your recent reference to constructive effect of forthcoming arrival of American newspaper men here.⁴⁶ I expressed personal opinion that your omission thus far to make public reference to political situation in Hungary implied some degree of confidence in capacity of Hungarian political leaders to overcome their present difficulties and to prepare for orderly expression of public will in free election. I expressed appreciation of Zsedenyi’s frank statement above outlined which fully explains Voroshilov’s embarrassment when General Key brought up election matter at last meeting of ACC.

Schoenfeld

43. Telegram 468, August 23, 1945, 4 p.m. from Budapest, reported that General Key had informed Schoenfeld that at the meeting of the Allied Control Commission on August 22 he had inquired of Marshal Voroshilov as to the truth of reports that the Soviet authorities had urged the holding of early national elections in Hungary; Voroshilov vehemently denied the truth of these rumors and spoke excitedly for as much as 15 minutes on the subject after General Key had stated his acceptance of his colleague’s assurances (740.00119 Control (Hungary)/8–2345).
44. Not printed.
44. Not printed.
45. The Secretary of State discussed the problem of a Rumanian national election in the course of his press and radio news conference on Wednesday, August 22. The memorandum (No. 45) of this conference is not printed. For documentation regarding the interest of the United States in the establishment of a democratic government in Rumania, see vol. v, pp. 464 ff. For text of the Secretary of State’s statement regarding the postponement of national elections in Bulgaria, released to the press on August 25, see Department of State Bulletin, August 26, 1945, p. 283.

46. The Secretary of State discussed the question of the entry of press correspondents into the Balkans in the course of his press and radio news conference on August 22. The memorandum of this conference (No. 45) reads in part as follows:

    “He said that his efforts for a free press in Rumania, Bulgaria and Hungary had been more earnest and more enthusiastic because of his opinion that he would much rather have a free press in a country to observe elections than to have government representatives.”