Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, Eastern Europe; The Soviet Union, Volume IV

864.00/6–647: Telegram

The Chargé in Hungary (Bigelow) to the Secretary of State

secret
niact

Budapest, June 6, 1947—3 p. m.

961. Following are Legation’s comments on US proposed text for note on Hungarian political situation as received from British Mission here (my telegram 959, June 6¹):

1. Legation is in complete agreement with proposed action including political representations, request for investigation commission and failing these reference to UN. In this connection surviving democratic elements in Hungary appear to be basing greatest hope on action in UN.

2. However, Department’s attention invited to fact that developments in current crisis here have been characterized by facade of constitutionality which will certainly constitute the chief Soviet reply to our démarche. In our opinion it will therefore be necessary to avoid discussion of specific developments in favor of emphasis on significance and substance of what has occurred here, namely perversion of constitutional process for minority power purposes supported by threat of extra-constitutional measures and unjustifiable abuse of validly acquired occupational authority in furtherance of occupation power’s strategic and political aim.

3. Soviet Communist refutation of proposed US representations will of course emphasize procedural constitutionality pointing out that when certain information concerning Prime Minister came to attention of Hungarian Government, Acting Prime Minister after consultation with Cabinet Council recalled Prime Minister from abroad. Latter refused to return thereby, in effect, admitting his guilt, and Cabinet resigned. Government was then legally reconstituted with only changes in positions of Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. Thus formal ratio of political parties in Cabinet was maintained in accordance with previous inter-party agreements through continued tenure of Prime Ministry and Foreign Ministry by majority party and Parliamentary order preserved by unchanged representation of minority bloc in Parliament. This version is technically true even though thorough investigation of executive and judicial branches of this government would prove fact of left bloc domination.

In view of foregoing Legation favors present draft which omits specific charges and leaves to investigation commission of ACC or UN task of determining true facts of case. If as anticipated Soviets and Communists insist entire façade is constitutional they can have no valid objection to full investigation and refusal to accept investigation will bolster our general case and tend to minimize and discredit force of their specific contentions.

As to actual composition note Legation suggests following changes with view to note’s effect on local public opinion:

Omission in second paragraph of phrase “While information is not complete” and begin sentence with “Sufficient facts”.

Substitution in paragraph 3 of “incredulity” for “skepticism”.

Substitution in last sentence last paragraph of “will consider reference of matter to UN” in place of “may refer”.

Addition of clear statement designed to forestall supression of publication.

Sent Department as 961, repeated London as 88.

Department please repeat Moscow as 110.

Bigelow

1. Not printed.