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

Documents

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5 This morning I called on Mr. Flieder, the Czech minister in Vienna, and informed him about Pechár's mission. Flieder appeared to be very much pleased and told me that he will advise his Government by wire. He expressed regrets that the Hungarian Government has not yet acted upon the suggestion made in January by Foreign Minister Benes to establish contact with the Prague Government through an unofficial delegate (see my report No. 91/pol.

1). I repeated the view I expressed during our conversation in January, namely, that I do not regard the time, when the Hungarian peace treaty is being discussed, opportune for such a move, and that in my opinion the proper moment for it will come after the signature of the peace treaty. At present, such a move could be misinterpreted in either country. The fact that Pechár was sent to Prague is indicative of the Hungarian Government's intention to prepare the ground for the establishment of contacts with Czechoslovakia. The reasons which induce me to take this position are the following: 1 fear that any exchange of views with Czechoslovakia concerning political issues which may take place prior to the signature of the peace treaty, would be used against us in Paris and would be represented as evidence that we already agreed with Czechoslovakia on the basis of the peace conditions. Hungarian public opinion might also interpret such a move as though we had capitulated to the Czechs even before the conclusion of peace. At the same time, I am convinced that a modus vivendi with Czechoslovakia is very necessary and that we ought to try to find one as soon after the signature of the peace treaty as possible. No. 163. 1172/pol. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Count Somssich, to the Representative of the Czechoslovak Government in Budapest, Mr. Lejhanec

. BUDAPEST, le 5 mars 1920. Je viens d'être informé que les autorités tchécoslovaques ont l'intention d'expulser les familles de tous les employés 2 Supra, Doc. No. 78.