Paris Peace Conf. 184.011102/687
Mr. A. W. DuBois to the Secretary of State60
Sir: I have the honor to report a conversation which took place today with the Minister for Hungary in Vienna, M. Gratz, during which he expressed himself on the German West Hungarian matter.
Mr. Gratz showed himself to be in favor of a customs union of the Danube states and of bringing about close ties between Austria and Hungary. He however declared that a loss of German West Hungary would mean an embitterment of feelings between his country and Austria which would be impossible to overcome, and that as a consequence thereof Austria would receive no aid from Hungary, and that Hungary would be reluctant to send her products to Austria. He believes that these two countries are dependent upon one another and should do all to establish friendly relations but the loss of German West Hungary would make this impossible and Austria thereby would lose far more than she would gain. He stated that he thought Hungary would be willing to abide by the result of a plebiscite even though it went against her.
The Austrian Government on the other hand is opposed to a plebiscite at this time when, as they claim, there is an unnatural prejudice against them and a vote would not be taken on a sound foundation.
[Page 601]I have explained the situation more fully in my report Nos. 3561 and 36.62
I have [etc.]