Papers and Documents relating to the Foreign Relations of Hungary, Volume 1, 1919–1920 (Budapest, 1939)
Documents
494 1920 be arrested. I also informed the Czech chargé d'affaires, 1 who insisted that he learned about the incident only last night. However, I am inclined to believe that the transportation of the Hungarian communists through Czechoslovakia was agreed upon previously between the Austrian and the Czech Governments. No. 470. 457o/pol, The Hungarian Charge d'affaires in Vienna, Mr. Masirevich, to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Count Teleki. [TRANSLATION] No. 872/pol. VIENNA, July 18, 1920. As I have already reported by telegram, 2 according to the Austrian Government, the permission given to Béla Kun to leave Austria was granted under irresistible pressure exerted by the Russian Soviet Government, which refused otherwise to permit the Austrian prisoners of war to return to Austria. The background of the whole affair has been officially published here; the text of the convention concerning the repatriation of prisoners of war concluded between the Austrian and the Soviet Governments has also been published and it appears that one of the provisions specifically provided for, was the release of the former Hungarian people's commissars interned in Austria. It is likely that the other communist leaders still here will also be permitted to emigrate to Russia pursuant to this convention. The convention above referred to concluded negotiations carried on for several months between the Austrian Government, not only with the Russian Government but also with the governments of other nations. It was evident from these negotiations that they will sooner or later result in the liberation of Kun and the other communists interned in Austria. According to newspaper reports, Kun and Varga were no longer on the train when the transport was examined at the border in Oderberg. From this fact the conclusion is drawn that they are hiding at present with their friends in Czechoslovakia. 1 Flieder. 2 Supra, Doc. No. 469.
