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

Documents

1920 471 According to the police authorities of Vienna, however, this rumour is without any foundation because Kun and Varga have taken a different train and proceeded to Germany through Gmünd and Prague. In my opinion this does not of course exclude the possibility that Kun and Varga had nevertheless gone to Slovakia. The departure of the interned was greeted by public opinion in general, but particularly in bourgeois circles, somewhat with joy. On the other hand, there was no lack of criticism of the Austrian Government for having liberated persons accused of common law crimes for whose extradition steps have already been taken. But, in general, it is admitted that the return of Austrian prisoners of war from Russia is of such great interest that every sacrifice therefore is justified. Government circles and the police authorities in Vienna are also pleased with this development because the members of the concentration camp in Steinhof were not pleasant guests. When in the absence of Dr. Renner I protested to Mr. Ippen against the decision of the Austrian Government to liberate the Hungarian communists, his reply indicated the hope of the Austrian Government that we will not take a too serious view of the matter, since there was but little prospect that they would be extradited to Hungary and in the expectation that their presence will no longer cause friction between Vienna and Budapest. In socialist and communist newspapers in Vienna there is of course jubilation and there were several suggestions that Kun will probably soon invade Hungary leading the Soviet army. Concerning the attitude of the Allied missions in Vienna a remark made by the French minister, Mr. Lefèvre-Pontalis, gave me the impression that they had known of the negotiations of the Austrian Government concerning the liberation of Kun but they had refrained from exerting any pressure on Chancellor Renner to prevent it. I should like to return once more to the Austro-Russian convention referred to above. The second article of the convention it seems to me, carries a certain amount of danger. According to that article, a Soviet mission clothed with all diplomatic immunities and privileges will soon be established in Vienna. I need not dwell upon the significance of the establishment of a new revolutionary center in the heart of Europe.