ADSS 10.125 Angelo Rotta (Hungary) to Luigi Maglione

ADSS 10.125 Angelo Rotta to Cardinal Maglione

Reference: Telegram 184 (AES 2040/44)

Location and date: Budapest 30.03.1944; received in Rome 31.03.1944.

Summary statement: Information on the new government in Hungary and its attitude towards to the Jews.

Language: Italian

Text:

In response to my telegram 182: (1)

A new Hungarian government (2) was formed under German pressure, and under their surveillance.   The Regent (3) has been obliged to … accept the ministry under German threats to (?) occupy the country with an invasion of Romanian, Croatian and Slovakian troops.  The new ministers (4) tend to come from a background in Christian nationalism.  Now (?) there appears the danger of persecution against the Jews, the fight (?) will be fierce (?); many are already imprisoned. (5) The fate of two deported Italian diplomats remains uncertain despite the protest of a number of colleagues (6) … the Hungarian government seems powerless to have take a position, however false, having said in the past that the Germans considered them [the Italians] to be political refugees. The former prime minister has fled; many socialist politicians, a few liberals and legitimists have been arrested, but, so far, no Hungarian ecclesiastics; the Socialist Party and the small farmers’ party have been dissolved; unions have been placed under government control.  Several Hungarian diplomats abroad have resigned, as did the Mayor of Budapest (8).  There have been numerous calls to arms, but public order is not disturbed.

Notes:

(1) Telegram sent 20.03.1944 (AES 1952/44); not published in ADSS.  Recounts the news of the German invasion of Hungary.

(2) Döme Sztójay (1883-1946) replaced Miklós Kállay (1887-1967) as prime minister on 22.03.1944.  Sztójay was prime minister and foreign minister until 29.08.1944.

(3) Regent, Admiral Miklos Horthy (1868-1957)

(4) For a list of the ministers see http://www.rulers.org/rulh.html#hungary (Accessed 16.04.2014)

(5) See ADSS 10.196

(6) Charge d’Affaires, Baron de Ferrariis and Military attaché, General Voli, were deported with their families.

(7) See note 2 above.

(8) Tivadar Homonnay was mayor 1942-1944.