ADSS 1.162 Kaldewey to Maglione: news from Romania

ADSS 1.162 Umberto Kaldewey (1), Charge d’affaires, Budapest Nunciature to Luigi Maglione, Sec State

Reference: Report number 2657/1939; AES 6348/39

Location and date: Budapest, 31.08.1939

Summary statement: Romania has proposed a non-aggression pact with Hungary without success; Hungary calls for a pact for the protection of minorities.  Hungarian press is silent on the German occupation of Slovakia.  Friendly demonstrations outside the German and Italian legations.

Language: Italian

Text:

Hungary also, naturally, takes the necessary precautions required by the present difficult situation, but the calm, order and discipline which prevails in Budapest and in the centre of the country is noted even abroad. Parliament is due to open again on 14 September when a Bill on agrarian reform will be introduced.

The Hungarian Government has expressed to the Rumanian Government its anxiety about the vast movement of soldiers taking place in Rumania.  The Bucharest Government replied that no aggressive intention should be seen in these activities: they are only concentrations of army units that are part of the autumn manoeuvres for exercise purposes.  In order to give proof of its peaceful intentions towards it neighbours, the Rumanian government has declared itself ready to sign a non-aggression pact between Rumania and Hungary.  The Hungarian Government replied that it was unable to accept this proposal; it does not object to the mobilisation, but it does not consider that the concentration of Rumanian troops along the Hungarian border is a friendly act.  The Hungarian Government, giving proof of its good will, proposed to the Rumanian Government that, instead, a treaty for the protection of the minorities should be concluded because in such a way the relations between the two nations could be improved; such a treaty, moreover, notwithstanding its political nature, could not be construed as a consequence of the mobilisation and the movements of the Rumanian army.

The news that German troops have entered Slovakia has not created any excitement here.

A small number of people with swastika emblems were able – notwithstanding the prohibition of the authorities – to set up a demonstration of sympathy in front of the Italian and the German Legations – as I informed you in my report Number 27 (1) The Hungarian newspapers have disapproved almost unanimously of this gesture, made more or less for internal political purposes, considering it offensive to Germany and Italy as if sympathy towards the two Axis partners in Hungary could be deduced from the action of a few swastika bearers.

Hopes unfortunately are every moment becoming frighteningly weaker; but the people anxiously follow the efforts which are being made to avoid war and especially, with profound gratitude, the noble efforts of the Holy Father in favour of peace.

Notes:

(1) Umberto Kaldewey, priest of the diocese of Rome, was Charge d’Affaires at the Hungarian Nunciature since at least 1928. 

(2) Not published in ADSS.

ADSS 1.138 Montini notes: Romania and Hungary

 ADSS 1.138 Montini, notes

Reference: AES 5762/39

Location and date: Vatican, 26.08.1939

Summary statement: Romanian Ambassador suggests an approach by Budapest nuncio, to bring about a Romanian-Hungarian understanding for the common defence.

Language: Italian

Text:

The Romanian Embassy (1) at the Holy See thinks that an approach of the Apostolic Nuncio (2) would be well accepted and very opportune in persuading the Hungarian authorities to come to an understanding with Romania for the common defence of their independence.  Hungary has little choice: either to put up a common front of resistance with Romania, Yugoslavia and, later, Poland, or to become a German dependency.

Lately Romania has reinforced the frontier defence with some troops: Hungary has take umbrage at this: Romania has replied that this move had no offensive character; on the contrary Romania would have liked to take advantage of this occasion to reach a settlement of the Romania-Hungarian issues.  Hungary replied that it does not negotiate under the threat of cannon. (3)

Notes: 

(1) Nicola Petresco Comnene (1881-1958), Romanian Ambassador to the Holy See 1939-40.

(2) Angelo Rotta (1872-1965), Nuncio to Hungary 1930-45.

(3) Domenico Tardini added the following note: “29 August 1939. The Romanian Ambassador forgets that Hungary is already bound to the Axis.  Hungary will suffer all the consequences of this, if things go well.”  It was announced in the press on 28 August 1939 that Hungary had refused a non-aggression pact with Romania stating its preference to remain alongside Germany. Courier Mail, Brisbane, 28.08.1939, p2.

ADSS 10.280 Andrea Cassulo, Romania to Luigi Maglione - Hungarian Jews

10.280 Andrea Cassulo, Romania to Cardinal Maglione

Reference: Report number 11162 (AES 7013/44)

Location and date: Timişul de sus, 28.07.1944

Summary statement: Information on the deportation of the Hungarian Jews and request for intervention.

Language: Italian

Text:

With my report 11127 of 11.07.1944 (1) I sent to your Eminence a letter from Doctor Safran, the Chief Rabbi of Romania, who sought help for his Hungarian compatriots who have been subjected to exceptional coercive measures in recent months.

I am sending now the document confirming the painful facts, and I send it to your Eminence with the thought that it could be used to alleviate to some extent, the fate of so many poor people forced to leave their homes and live in concentration camps. (2)

I understand that it is not easy, given that the measures are so stringent, the war situation and the pressure under which the Hungarians authorities operate.  In any case, I believe that we do well to pray that a quick end is made to this painful situation for all concerned.

Notes:

(1) See ADSS 10.260

(2) The document, with no date, was signed by six people. (Archives of the Romanian Nunciature).  It said [in German] “As Your Excellency most likely knows, the Royal Hungarian Government has begun deporting the Jews.  As a result of this order the Jews of Transylvania were taken and without exception, forced to leave their homes.  For some time we have had no news of our families, and all attempts to learn of their fate have been fruitless.  Our despair is without limits, because many of our parents, siblings and children have been struck with this merciless fate.  In our desperation we call on the Christian charity of the Holy Catholic Church, which, throughout its history, has always helped people in need”.

(3) See ADSS 10.295, n1.

ADSS 10.134 Luigi Maglione to Amleto Cicognani (USA)

ADSS 10.134 Cardinal Maglione to Amleto Cicognani, Ap Del USA.

Reference: Telegram 1499 (AES 2712/44)

Location and date: Vatican 05.04.1944

Summary statement: The Holy See is doing everything possible for the Jews of Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and the Baltic States.

Language: Italian

Text:

I received your telegram 1840. (1)

As already communicated to Your Excellency, there have been recent renewed appeals made through the Apostolic Nunciature in Hungary, Romania and Slovakia for the Jews resident there. (2)

The Holy See continues to take the utmost interest in the problem. (3)

A similar action will not be possible for the Jews of the Baltic States. (4)

Concerning the Jews in Shanghai, the Japanese government has not responded. (5)

Notes:

(1) ADSS 10.127

(2) See ADSS 10.117.  William Godfrey, Apostolic Delegate in London, had written on 14.01.1944 to Alexander Eastermann (1890-1985), World Jewish Congress: “I feel certain that if His Holiness is in a position to be of any assistance, he will do all he can as constantly as he has done in the past”.

(3) See ADSS 10.137, 158, 187

(4) Nothing was found on this matter. See ADSS 10.313

(5) See ADSS 10.127.