Paris Peace Conf. 184.011102/682
Memorandum by Mr. A. W. DuBois57
Sentiment in German West Hungary in Regard to Annexation to Austria
This report sets forth the results of a trip through German West Hungary, which was made for the purpose of sounding the wishes of the population in regard to annexation to Austria, and to learn what foundation there exists for the Hungarian agitation which disclaims a desire on the part of the population of West Hungary to join Austria.
The trip was made on November 28th, 29th, and 30th. The itinerary included Wiener Neustadt, Pötsching, Krensdorf, Zemendorf, Oedenburg, Breitenbrunn, Parndorf, and Kittsee. Farmers, notaries, mayors, [Page 595] and workmen were interviewed. The Austrian Foreign Office was especially desirous that the sentiment of the people in southern German West Hungary and that portion lying east of Neusiedler Lake (Fertos Tava) be sounded. This was not done, but if an assumption were to be made it would be that the people in those sections are as friendly to Austria as those in the sections visited.
It might be well to review briefly the ethnographical character of German West Hungary, which covers an area of 437,063 hectares or about 1,100,000 acres. According to the Hungarian official census of 1910 there were, of a total population of 345,082, 245,714 Germans, 44,215 Magyars, 49,386 Croatians, and 5,767 others.
The southern portion of the country is hilly with a poor soil given over largely to cattle raising, woodland, viticulture, and some general farming, whereas the northern portion is flat or rolling with a rich soil used for general farming—grain and sugar beets—only the steeper slopes being used for viticulture. There are three beet sugar factories and some minor industries. Many thousands of persons find employment in the industrial region on the Austrian side of the frontier.
Although German West Hungary has belonged to Hungary for nearly three centuries without interruption the population according to the last census is 70% German. The so-called Magyarization or oppression by the Magyars apparently was not as severe as generally stated since the German population after three centuries of Hungarian rule has remained essentially German, speaking the German language. Some inhabitants claim oppression but others do not. Hungarian as the official language was used in the courts, in official communications, and, under the Hungarian system most officers being appointive, they were largely Magyars. All this caused inconvenience, annoyance, and probably in some cases hardship and injustice, but in very few cases actual and direct oppression. The dissatisfaction among the German elements is due more to the general lack of educational facilities and progress, from which all nationalities suffered, than to direct oppressive measures.
Before attempting to generalize or to express an opinion I wish to set down a few statements made by persons selected haphazardly which are indicative of the sentiment of the persons interviewed.
- 1.
- An apparently well-to-do German farmer and four peasant women, who were driving with farm produce toward Wiener Neustadt. Favored remaining with Hungary, prospects of a better and conservative government. Fear socialistic-Bolshevist tendencies in Austria. Claim they will always be able to market their produce in Austria as heretofore. Well treated by Hungary.
- 2.
- Innkeeper and farmers in Krensdorf. Favor Austria; they being Germans felt oppressed under Hungarian rule, which always used Hungarian officially; German language and schooling neglected, children [Page 596] growing up half educated; dependent on Austria for all manufactured products; want frontier opened.
- 3.
- Burgomaster and family at Zemendorf. Favor Austria; stated that protocol sent from Budapest to be signed by all favoring remaining with Hungary received but three signatures in his village. No Communists, possibly three socialists in village. Villagers all farmers, all favored Austria account language, market, and sentiment.
- 4.
- Vice-Mayor of Oedenburg. Although native of German village favors Hungary. Claims new frontier will ruin Oedenburg now dependent on large radius of territory as distributing center. German West Hungary imports grain and other products from Hungary. Oedenburg redistributes to surrounding country and to Austria. Claims that all Croatians and many Germans desire to remain with Hungary.
- 5.
- Mr. Stesgal leading citizen, member of German West Hungarian Government, Oedenburg. Conditions under Hungary unsatisfactory but not oppressive. Too much Magyar influence. Believes autonomy for German West Hungary a good solution, but doubts whether Hungarian Government would ever carry out promises of autonomy.
- 6.
- First group of peasants at Breitenbrunn. Occupied mostly with viticulture. Dependent upon Austria for market for their wines and for the manufactured products which they use, but entirely dependent upon Hungary for flour, young live stock, and other agricultural products which they themselves do not raise. Not oppressed by Hungarians. They send their children (exchange) to Hungarian villages so that they may learn the Hungarian language, indicating no language oppression. Difficult to know what majority of people wished—divided opinion. Best solution would be a plebiscite. The one all important need is the opening of Austrian-Hungarian frontier to free commerce. (The latter seemed to be the all important thing with most persons interviewed.) When asked what effect a frontier to the east would have they did not know.
- 7.
- Second group of eight persons in Breitenbrunn, including innkeeper, hunter, and farmers. All favored Austria, but some wanted plebiscite, thinking that autonomy under Hungary would be satisfactory, but most doubted possibility of real autonomy under Hungarian rule; claim that it never was possible, that promised reforms never executed. Fear Austrian demand for converting vineyards into grainfields, in which case population could not subsist.
Summary.
The population of German West Hungary, which is largely agrarian has no real definite opinion in regard to the annexation problem. It for the most part apparently lacks any patriotic affection for either Austria or Hungary, but on the one hand is swayed by ties of family [Page 597] relationship and language and on the other by custom and precedent. False reports about Bolshevism in Vienna and coup d’état in Budapest influence the population first against the one and then against the other country. The population is religious and conservative and not friendly to the present political institutions in Austria. Economically they are dependent upon an open border to the westward and do not know how a customs frontier to the east would affect them. Some fear a cutting off of flour and grain from Hungary and a draining of the area by Vienna should the country be attached to Austria. The population for the most part is in a frame of mind where agitation would have its influence, even though the agitators base their arguments on things of a purely temporary nature.
General.
I wish to preface any opinion which may be expressed in this report with the remark that it is obviously impossible to determine the wishes of a people by a cursory investigation, yet I feel satisfied that my information warrants an expression of opinion.
The majority of the population of German West Hungary is essentially German. Due to their proximity to the Austrian border and former free intercourse between Austria and Hungary the people have not become Magyarized. They would probably fit better within the confines of a German state than within one having a predominant population of another nationality. Possibly the majority of the population desire direct annexation with Austria; certainly they would prefer autonomy under Hungary to complete incorporation with that state, but there is a general lack of faith in Hungary respecting such autonomy. It is claimed that Budapest already decries the liberty given to the German nationalities and that the government is absolutely opposed to making separate comitates (counties) of the purely German areas.
The majority of the population has no definite opinion and is easily swayed by temporary conditions or agitation and propaganda. For the most part the people look first to their prosperity and they do not know how they would be affected by a frontier between them and Hungary, but they are one in their opposition to a customs barrier between them and Austria.
The officials and clericals are for the most part in favor of remaining with Hungary.
Conclusions.
The present (old) frontier between Austria and Hungary from a strategical standpoint is very unsatisfactory to the former, whose capital and industrial centers are exposed to Hungary, whereas the proposed frontier is of very slight strategical disadvantage to Hungary.
[Page 598]The majority of the population in German West Hungary is German and other things being equal would naturally prefer to throw in their lot with a German state, whereas remaining under foreign domination will probably always be a source of friction.
Economically they should be just as well off under Austria as under Hungary once conditions become settled and foodstuffs again become plentiful. They may suffer at first from Hungarian restrictions due to retaliation and from uncertain economic and political conditions in Austria, but these should wear off and improve with time.
For these reasons I am of the opinion that the decision of the Peace Conference, giving this area to Austria, should be abided by, but that if for other reasons the question be reopened, the decision should rest upon a plebiscite, which however should only be taken after the people have been made thoroughly acquainted with the situation, especially as it may affect their local administration and the economical position. A one-sided propaganda would create a prejudiced and false sentiment which would result in a decision that would ever create dissatisfaction and unrest.
- Probably forwarded to the Secretary of State by Mr. Halstead; a copy to the Commission was received on December 19.↩