130. Telegram From the Legation in Hungary to the Department of State1
171. Legation telegrams 1682 and 1693 Absence of communication facilities has placed upon the Legation operational decisions which would normally be referred to Washington for final determination. Legation telegram 169 gives circumstances of one contact between State’s representatives, insurgent forces and American personnel. In brief, insurgents were trying to contact Legation to urge that Legation act as mediator between various insurgent groups and government.
In view of analysis underlying recommendations in Legation telegram 168, was felt that some action, even if only exploratory and of course unofficial, should be taken to indicate probability that Legation would do whatever practical to facilitate cessation of bloodshed [Page 320] through compromise between insurgents and government, both for humanitarian reasons and also because it appeared to support US government interests.
An aide-mémoire was drafted along such lines to be held in reserve and telephone connections finally made with Deputy Foreign Minister. Following request for assistance in communicating with Washington, which granted only to extent of accepting one clear message over phone (down due to “technical difficulties” and dangers of being on streets), remark was made along lines that: bloodshed regrettable, ceasefire seemed desirable, and speaking purely unofficially we would assume that any Foreign Legation, including this one, would be glad do whatever practical to assist in ending carnage. Response that thought appreciated but hardly likely anything could be done since “gangs” being wiped up, made it clear that Communist new government (or at least this representative thereof) had no thoughts at moment of any deal with insurgents.
It now appears certain Soviets moving in troops based in other satellite areas perhaps Soviet Union itself. Thus likely they can by progressive use of force maintain control of Pest, get control of Buda, and clear up provinces. However mounting wave of pro-Hungarian felling in west makes it possible Soviets also might be willing extricate themselves from present situation through an armistice followed by negotiations.
Legation heard this morning that Nanaa newspaperman Leslie Bain proceeded to Vienna this morning with promise Hungarian Government he can have re-entry visa Wednesday.4 Bain has in recent days revealed himself to Legation as strong Nagy supporter and Twentieth Congress line exponent. Possible his Vienna mission (judging from conversations) to brand Hungarian uprising as Fascist sparked. This would be definite indication of growing concern over western feelings.
If factor of western opinion weighs strongly enough with Soviets that they deterred from all-out action, Legation feels any approaches from insurgents, handled delicately, perhaps best kept alive so that better chance may exist for Hungarian Government have someone to negotiate with.
For these reasons Legation reporting facts at this length.
Legation requests advice soonest.5
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 764.00/10–2856. Confidential; Niact. Received at 7 p.m., October 29.↩
- Document 125.↩
- Telegram 169 from Budapest, October 27, reported that the Legation had been contacted by the wives of two leaders of the insurgent writers who requested U.S. assistance in arranging a 12-hour armistice on humanitarian grounds and the help of the Legation in negotiating peace terms. (Department of State, Central Files, 764.00/10–2756)↩
- Bain went to Austria on October 28 and returned on Tuesday, October 30, after having filed his despatches at Radio Austria. See Bain, Reluctant Satellites, pp. 118–121.↩
- Elbrick sent a memorandum to Secretary Dulles on October 31 wherein he recommended that the Legation be informed that specific action in response to the approaches outlined in telegrams 161, 168, 169, and 171 from Budapest was unnecessary. The memorandum bears no indication of approval or disapproval. (Department of State, Central Files, 764.00/10–2856)↩