864.01/466: Telegram
The Minister in Sweden ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10:50 p.m.]
1021. Following telegram has been sent to Lisbon.
3. March 26, 7 p.m. Pursuant to authorization contained in Department’s 485 March 23, 4 p.m., Legation transmits substance of declaration from Hungarian Minister Ullein-Reviczky addressed to his colleagues in Bern, Lisbon, Madrid, Vatican,23 and Hungarian Consul General at Istanbul, not to Hungarian Minister in Ankara, for whatever action receiving American Mission may deem appropriate.
Begin Declaration:
Minister of Hungary at Stockholm sends you following message:
- 1.
- There are rumors concerning formation of Hungarian Government abroad. I have declared myself opposed to this project because need of moment is to work for liberation of our country. Nevertheless it could be harmful to our cause if in each country we were known by different name. Therefore I propose to you that we all adopt the name “Free Hungarian National Movement” (Szabad Magyarok Nemzeti Mozgalma).
- 2.
- This “Movement” needs no leader. The group in each country should exert its best efforts for common cause in close collaboration with the Allies through intermediary of American Diplomatic Mission. It is however understood that the Group in each country will be presided over by Minister (or Consul General) of Hungary who has adhered to Movement. Communication between the different Groups will be maintained through intermediary of American Diplomatic Missions.
- 3.
- All honest Hungarians will be welcomed without distinction as to party or religion. All discussion of domestic policy will be avoided and postponed until later. Our sole common aim at present should be liberation of country.
- 4.
- Each Group will furnish to American Diplomatic Mission complete list of members of Hungarian Legation or Consulate who have adhered to Movement.
- 5.
- Each Group will indicate immediately to American Mission whether there are in its district entirely reliable Hungarian nationals who would volunteer to go to Hungary on special missions.
- 6.
- Each Hungarian Minister will refrain from resigning—on contrary he will remain at post and maintain that he represents principle of legality in contrast to illegality of Quislings in Budapest. Naturally he will not turn over anything whatsoever to any Nazi Minister sent from Budapest.
- 7.
- Each Hungarian Minister will exert every effort to use his influence with Government to which assigned in order that country in question shall not recognize de jure the Nazi Cabinet of Budapest.
- 8.
- Please give me your consent to send by Allied radio a spoken message to Hungarian nation in your name too, exhorting every patriot to combat the invaders to best of his ability. End of Declaration.
Ullein-Reviczky is particularly anxious that each Hungarian mission retain control over money, passports, seals, etc., now in its possession. One reason for his wanting list of personnel which adheres to Movement is hope that Military Attaché at some post will join. Exhortations to Hungarian patriots will, Ullein believes, have added effect if endorsed by army officer. Minister’s plan under point 8 is to make phonograph recording here for broadcast from London or other Allied stations. Ullein wants to avoid sending presumptions [seeming presumptuous?] in eyes of his colleagues and says he submits declaration for sole purpose of expediting common action.
Repeated to Lisbon, Madrid and Ankara. Transmitted to Department as my 1021, March 26, 7 p.m., for repeating, in Department’s discretion, to Bern and Vatican in safe code.
- Baron Gábor Apor d’Altorja, Hungarian Minister to the Holy See.↩