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.
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