864.01/471: Telegram

The Minister in Portugal ( Norweb ) to the Secretary of State

922. I am transmitting to Wodianer, Hungarian Minister here, substance of declaration made by Hungarian Minister at Stockholm contained in Minister Johnson’s 1021, March 26, to Department.

In belief that Hungarian mission here which I have learned is unanimously in favor of joining in with any free Hungarian movement or council of resistance, should be encouraged in this position, I am keeping in close touch with Wodianer through an intermediary. I feel, however, that time is at hand when I should have open contact with him in order to strengthen his position and I would therefore welcome a reply to my 862, March 22.

For many reasons, chief one being facility of communication to the United States where Tibor Eckhardt and other prominent anti-Nazi Hungarians are now residing, I believe that cultivation of Wodianer and his staff might bear fruitful results if we desired to employ his mission in guiding under United States-British control or communicating with resistance and underground activities within occupied Hungary. I am satisfied after the most careful examination [Page 857] into the facts as I know them that Wodianer is to be relied upon. He is without personal political ambition and has amply demonstrated his only wish is to cooperate fully with any free Hungarian movement without necessarily seeking leadership. Implicit in this is his willingness and desire to cooperate with this mission as well as with the British Embassy and I must repeat that the facilities for communication here make it evident that through Lisbon such a liaison can be effected. Please also reread penultimate paragraph of my 862.

Since drafting the above I have just learned that Wodianer who has been also seeking an interview with Campbell is being received by latter tonight. This is in line with instructions which Campbell had previously received from London.

Norweb