Papers and Documents relating to the Foreign Relations of Hungary, Volume 2, 1921 (Budapest, 1946)
Documents
1921 753 reports from the Budapest extremist Press before me I see with regret that my advice, which was based on a better understanding of the Austrian situation than would be obtainable in Budapest, is disregarded in Hungary. I repeat that if we have no definite promise from Paris, Dr. Schober's action is the only way of saving considerable territories and creating lasting good relations with Austria, which we ought not to underrate. To threaten reprisals would be of no use, as our supplies to Austria have not been very generous and Austria would not starve if they were denied her in future. No. 736. 4651/pol. The Minister of Hungary in Bucharest, Baron Rubido-Zichy, to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Count Bánffy. [TRANSLATION] 536/pol. BUCHAREST, August 18, 1921. Yesterday Mr. Take Jonescu led the conversation to the negotiations in progress in Budapest concerning the exchange of Rumanian and Hungarian political prisoners. 1 The following is a summary of the Foreign Minister's views: in Hungary there are, to his knowledge, about 27 Rumanian political prisoners. In return for their liberation, he would be willing to release some 60 Hungarian citizens detained in Rumania. In view of the general confusion prevailing, he would be prepared to forego too close investigation of the citizenship of the prisoners to be released; he must, however, reject the recent demand of the Hungarian Government to negotiate with Hungary about the liberation of prisoners of undoubted Rumanian nationality. The Foreign Minister also complained of recent arrests and annoyance to Rumanian travellers for which Hungary was responsible. He added that Mr. Stircea sent him despairing reports saying that the additional claims of the Hungarian Government put wellnigh unsurmountable difficulties in the way of the negotiations. From Mr. Take Jonescu's words, I received the impression that 1 Cf. supra, Doc. No. 437. 48