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

Documents

286 1920 Hungarian Government to his substitute, Dr. Mihailow. The latter received my communication with evident pleasure and requested me to express his Government's appreciation. Dr. Mihailow declared that his Government would gladly see the appointment of an unofficial Hungarian representative who would reside in Kameniec until the question is decided whether Kiew or Odessa will be the capital. No. 264. 2695/pol. The Representative of the Hungarian Government in Berlin, Baron Forster, to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Count Teleki. [TRANSLATION] No. 99/pol. BERLIN, May 6, 1920. I beg to report that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. von Haniel, informed me today that the Austrian Government requested the German Government to give permission for the transit through Germany of Hungarian communists at present in Vienna who would travel with a transport of returning Russian prisoners of war. Approximately 72 persons are involved. Dr. von Haniel told me that he would defer replying to the Austrian Government until he learns our attitude in this matter. In the belief that I was acting according to Your Excellency's intention, I replied to Dr. von Haniel that we are at present negotiating with Soviet Russia concerning the repatriation of our prisoners of war. We were confidentially informed by the German Commissioner for the Repatriation of Prisoners of War, Dr. Stücklen, that the Soviet Government will condition the release of Hungarian prisoners of war on permission for Kun and his followers to emigrate to Russia. Naturally, we are prepared to make very great sacrifices in order to obtain the liberation of our prisoners of war. I requested Dr. von Haniel, therefore, to consider that the issue presented was for us a bargaining point and for that reason I felt certain that the Hungarian Government would regard permission for Béla Kun to emigrate