Ext 6116/46(S) 'Secret Weekly Political Intelligence Summaries, nos 356-416, August 1946-November 1947' [‎338v] (690/978)

14
the concessions which he has made are to
the advantage of the Hungarian nation.
It would be a long time, he said, before the
Smallholders could afford to sever their
connection with their partners in the
Coalition Government. Peace was needed
for creative work and to raise the standard
of living.
The maximum grant of land to be
allotted to Hungarian repatriates from
Slovakia has been fixed at 15 hold; though
the rule may be subsequently relaxed, it is
explained, in carefully selected cases. By
a still somewhat obscure method of classifi
cation former landed and landless peasants
will be definitely assured of property, but
“professional farmers" will receive
holdings only if any remain available after
the other claims have been met. The
reason for this discrimination is not clear
unless the “professional farmers’' are
the equivalent of the ‘ ‘ gentlemen ' ’ land-
owners of feudal Hungary whom the Land
Reform restricted to a maximum 100 hold,
while permitting a maximum 200 hold to
all who could prove peasant origin.
Among non-agricultural workers preferen
tial treatment will be given to those, such
as doctors and craftsmen, whose occupa
tions are estimated as being of most value
to the community.
The Hungarian Government have asked
the Italian authorities for the extradition
of the war criminals, Oliver Rupprecht,
formerly editor of Magyar sag, and M.
Vajtha, formerly Hungarian Consul in
Vienna. Since making the request they
have heard that Vajtha has left Italy.
The Secretary of the International
Department of the Labour Party, Denis
Healey, is to attend the forthcoming
Danubian Conference of Social Democrats
in Budapest as an observer.
The Hungarian Government have agreed
to the establishment of Soviet consulates
in Szeged, Debreczen, Pecs, Gybr and
Miskolc. (See also under United
Nations.”)
Roumania
The question of ratification of the Peace
Treaty is the subject of much discussion
and exchange of views. The usual practice
is that such a treaty should be approved by
the Legislatures of the victors and there
after submitted to the vanquished country
for due ratification. But in the present
case it has been decided that the order
shall be reversed. The reaction of the
Roumanian Minister of Foreign Affairs is
that this plan might “ embarrass ” the
Roumanian Government if, after
Roumania has ratified the Treaty, the
Great Powers should withhold ratification.
It has been proposed that the necessary
action should be taken by the Powers on or
about the 15th May. The Russian Govern
ment points out that a decision by the
Great Powers to withhold ratificatj^
might result in delay in the withdrawal of
Allied troops. Other considerations are
involved, and it is difficult to avoid the
conclusion not only that the withdrawal of
troops is in the minds of some of those
concerned, but also that trouble may arise
over the observance of Article 3 of the
treaty, which provides for “human
rights” and fundamental freedom. This
article is already being infringed by the
Roumanian Government, and, as things are
at present, the only action which can be
taken is under what are known as the
January assurances. These have never
been observed, and no pressure has been
brought to bear for their observance. The
fact is that the Roumanian Government
feel so secure in their Russian backing that
they just behave as they please. During
the* last month over 2,000 arrests of known
supporters of the Opposition have taken
place and many have been kept in prison,
although no charge has been made against
them. It is now fairly evident that the
Russian policy is to present the United
Nations with the fait accompli of a virtual
Communist dictatorship.
A point which appears to have escaped
general notice in this connexion is that,
however much the Russians safeguard
their position and, however complete is the
control of the Communists over the
country, it will never really be safe for
the Russians to withdraw. The only ques
tion is whether they will be so impressed
with the preparations that they have
made, and with the outward appearance
of things in Roumania, that they will
deceive themselves and be persuaded that
their position is more secure than it
actually is.
Assuming that they decide to go, what
is there that they leave behind to make
their withdrawal safe ?
(1) The Communist Party, consisting of
a number of genuine Communists which
can be counted on the fingers of one hand,
and an indefinite number who cannot be
relied upon at all. Many of these have
recently begun to show T their hand, and
active ct purging ” of the the party is
taking place.
(2) A Secret Police force on N.K.V.D.
lines, consisting of a developed and en
larged Siguranta. The new elements are