Papers and Documents relating to the Foreign Relations of Hungary, Volume 1, 1919–1920 (Budapest, 1939)

Documents

1920 i6g sent a written report in this matter which probably reached Bucharest yesterday. Isopescu agreed to wire again to his Government. No. 148. io86/pol. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Count Somssich, to the Interallied Military Mission in Budapest. BUDAPEST, February 26, 1920. With my note No. 257 of January 18th

1, I took the liberty of informing you that the Yugoslav authorities have arrested and taken as hostages a number of inhabitants of Alsólendva. According to trustworthy information reaching me since, these people, twenty-two in number, are detained in the Fort of Semendria and sujected to a treatment usually meted out to criminals. Above all they complain of the quality and the insufficiency of their food. I shall be much obliged if you will kindly inquire into the state of condition of these unfortunate people, whose only offence lay in not having concealed their patriotic sentiments, and who, therefore, cannot be looked upon as common criminals, but on the contrary, deserve being treated with all possible leniency. I trust, you will share my opinion in this matter and that you will use your influence with the Belgrade Government, that the prisoners shall be granted certain improvements in their condition. I attach much importance to learning, what ameliorations will be proposed in this respect. With regard to the expulsions, all official reports are unanimous on the point that the Yugoslav authorities continue effecting this measure, having within a short space of time expelled onehundred and twenty Magyars from Alsólendva, without regard to the fact, that the expelled were owners of property. Within eight days from receiving the order of expulsion, they were forced to leave for the demarcation line. 1 Supra, Doc. No. 79.