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

Documents

1920 139 No. 113. 6o5/pol. The Minister of Hungary in Vienna, Dr. Gratz, to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Count Somssich. [TRANSLATION] I raised with Renner yesterday the possibility of settling the question of Western Hungary by a friendly arrangement before the treaty of peace of Neuilly

1 created a fait accompli. Our discussion was centered on the possibility of settling the issue by plebiscite. Since Austria desires annexation for strategical and economic reasons and for considerations of national policy, an agreement may be concluded that, should the plebiscite favour Hungary, the following assurances would be made to Austria: 1. A limitation as to the number of Hungarian troops stationed in Western Hungary; 2. Autonomy for the Germanspeaking population; 3. Preferential customs arrangement between Western Hungary and Austria. In view of the heretofore intransigent attitude of Renner, I was surprised that he had not rejected these suggestion categorically. He declared that while he was reluctant to accept an arrangement which would weaken the position secured for Austria by the treaty of St. Germain and while he could not proceed without the approval of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Austrian National Assembly, he nevertheless wished to consider the suggestions advanced and to continue conversations along these lines. I should like to have your instructions as to whether the proposal above described would be acceptable to you as the basis of negotiations. No. 114. 654/pol. The Secretary General of the Hungarian Peace Delegation, Mr. Praznovszky, to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Count Somssich

. Telegram No. 33. NEUILLY, le 2 février 1920. Je viens de recevoir de la part du Président de la Conférence de la Paix

2 en date d'aujourd'hui la note suivante : Code telegram No. 58. VIENNA, February 1, 1920. 1 Recte : of Trianon. 2 Milierand.