740.00119 EW/12–2744: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Harriman) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 28—7:30 a.m.]
5034. The British Chargé d’ Affaires and I met with Molotov this afternoon to discuss armistice terms with Hungary. Molotov recapitulated recent events in Hungary, stated that the Provisional Government there had made known its intention of breaking with the Germans and declaring war on Germany89 and had asked permission to send a delegation to Moscow to receive the armistice conditions laid down by the Allies. The Soviet Government considered it appropriate to conclude an armistice with this group and had agreed to accept the delegation in Moscow. The Hungarians were accordingly sending a delegation but it was expected that due to difficulties of travel at this season it would take them some time to reach Moscow. The delegation was composed of Dr. Yanosh Diendishi [János Gyöngyosy], present Minister of Foreign Affairs; Colonel General Yanos Veresh [János Vörös]. Minister of Defense; and Dr. Ishtvan Balog, State Secretary of the Council of Ministers. Our comments were invited.
I said that I had not heard from the Secretary since he had received the notification of the setting up of the Provisional Government in Hungary and that technically I was not authorized to deal with this group. I said that I had no doubt, however, that I would receive new instructions soon and that meanwhile I saw no reason why we should not proceed with the discussion of the terms among ourselves. Balfour said that he had been told by his Government that he would receive instructions very shortly.
Molotov pointed out that conditions had changed somewhat since the Soviet had proposed their original draft terms and that they now considered it advisable to put forward a new draft.
He then handed us the new draft and pointed out that it contained the following six changes as compared with the old draft.90
[Page 941]- 1.
- In preamble: The words “Regent and Government of Hungary” had been replaced by the “Provisional National Government of Hungary”. In this connection Molotov pointed out that while the Regent was now in the hands of the Germans, all the representatives who had originally come to Moscow to negotiate an armistice on behalf of Horthy had returned to Hungary to join the new Provisional Government with the exception of Szentivanyi Domokos who remained in Moscow for liaison. In addition to this they omitted from the preamble all mention of the preliminary condition.
- 2.
- Article I of the new draft has been considerably changed and
now reads as follows:
“Hungary has withdrawn from the war against the USSR and the other United Nations and having broken all relations with Germany has entered the war and will wage war on the side of the Allies against Germany for the purpose of restoring Hungarian independence and sovereignty for which purpose she will provide not less than eight infantry divisions with corps troops.
“Military operations on the part of Hungarian armed forces, including the River Fleet and the Air Forces, against Germany will be conducted under the general leadership of the Allied (Soviet) High Command. See annex to Article I.
“Hungary will take such measures for the demobilization of the Hungarian [Army] as may be laid down by the Allied (Soviet) High Command.”
- 3.
- In Article III all mention of the preliminary condition has again been omitted and the entire second paragraph has accordingly been deleted.
- 4.
- Article XIII has been revised to accord with the Eden understanding of October 17, i.e., Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia are mentioned throughout along with the Soviet Union, the total now has been changed to 300,000,000, the term of payment to 6 years, the amount to the Soviet Union to be 200,000,000 dollars, and Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia to receive 100,000,000, and the last paragraph has been omitted entirely.
- 5.
- Article XIX. The wording of Article XVIII of the Bulgarian armistice has been inserted in place of the former wording of Article XIX.
- 6.
- Molotov said the Soviets would propose one additional article, the draft of which was not yet ready. It would concern cancellation of agreements entered into by Hungary at the expense of Czechoslovakia and other neighboring states and would be like the Transylvanian article (Article XIX) of the Rumanian agreement.
Balfour and I both asked for an opportunity to examine these changed articles in detail before commenting on them but at my suggestion we went through the remaining articles point by point and Balfour and I expressed such views as our Governments held on each point. The Soviets simply made notes of our comments, and it was understood that they would give consideration to them so as to be able to discuss them when we next met, which is to be on December 29.
[Page 942]With respect to Article XIII, I presented the aide-mémoire transmitted in the Department’s 2584 of November 2, 4 p.m., but since we were not attempting to discuss any of the points in detail at today’s meeting, I did not attempt to set forth orally the Department’s views on this subject as expressed in its 2438 of October 14, midnight, and other telegrams. Molotov seemed to be well aware that we held strong views on this subject and showed considerable curiosity as to our position. Balfour took occasion to make clear that his Government also had very definite views about pricing of reparations deliveries which he would have to put forward in detail when we came to discuss this article.
Molotov then raised the question of consultation of the Czechoslovaks and Yugoslavs, and proposed that the draft armistice be shown to them when we three had agreed on it, to which I assented.
With respect to the contemplated declaration [as] to treatment of refugees and displaced persons, I proposed that this be included in Article VI. Balfour proposed that the Hungarians be asked to issue it as a separate statement. I expect to get Molotov’s views on this subject at the next meeting.