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

Documents

IO 1919 tations, the contemplated transfer of a substantial number of prisoners to the State penitentiary at Vác where they could have been lodged under better conditions. Moreover, we were unable to make arrangements for the housing of prisoners in other buildings in Budapest not heretofore used for such a purpose due, partly, to the refusal of the Rumanian Army Command to permit the maintenance of necessary prison guards, and, partly, to lack of necessary equipment. Nevertheless, the Government has taken steps within its power to remedy this situation. It was due to overcrowding also, despite earlier orders prohibiting such a procedure, that as an exception bolshevik prisoners were kept in the Koháry Street jail together with other offenders. However, this has been discontinued. With reference to the complaint that prisoners in the military prison at the Margit-körút are not provided with proper beds, we beg to call attention to the fact that the Rumanian authorities practically stripped the said prison of all equipment and furniture. It is to be noted further, that the Rumanian authorities also took possession of all such equipment stored in the State's warehouses. Pending the acquisition of new equipment in lieu of that appropriated by the Rumanians, some prisonners were compelled to sleep for a while on blankets. Since then we have succeeded, however, in acquiring a sufficient number of beds. We beg to state finally that no one has been arrested for political offenses. In the opinion of the Hungarian Government — which is in accordance with constant and recognized international practice — bolshevik prisoners accused as principals, accessories or promoters of ordinary common law crimes (such as murder, robbery, forgery, larceny, theft, breach of trust, false imprisonment, etc.) committed during the communist régime, frequently abusing their official positions, cannot be considered as political offenders. We beg to state, further, that no criminal proceedings were instituted concerning activities aiming solely and exclusively at the establishment of a socialistic order. In other words, every prosecution or arrest is based on accusations of ordinary, common law crimes. As soon as the accusation is proved unfounded, the immediate liberation of the accused is ordered.