740.00119 EW/11–545: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Representative in Hungary (Schoenfeld)
684. ReMistel 868 Nov. 5. You may say in reply to PriMin’s note of November 3 on subject of Hungarian Army that regulation of strength and organization of Army in interim period before conclusion of peace treaty is properly matter for ACC, where Gen Key will make known views of this Govt, and that you are not in a position to express to Hungarian Govt at this time US views on points raised by PriMin’s note or to make specific request of ACC to suspend reduction of Army as PriMin suggests.
War Dept has requested Key’s recommendations on nature of military clauses for Hungarian peace treaty (Warx–80529, Nov. 166). Question of strength of Hungarian Army in interim period is closely connected with that of its peacetime strength in view of Article I (d) of Armistice Agreement which provided that “On the conclusion of hostilities against Germany, the Hungarian Armed Forces must be demobilized and put on a peace footing under the supervision of the ACC”.
Preliminary view of Dept and War Dept on interim strength of Hungarian Army (reMistels 851, 853 Nov 267 is that it need not be any larger than is needed for the maintenance of internal order, and that the ACC (all three Reps participating) should determine the size of the armed force, in addition to the regular police forces, necessary for that purpose. Limitations fixed now would of course be subject to change by ACC at later date in light of reduction of Soviet forces in Hungary or other circumstances.
This tel has been cleared with War Dept. Please make it available to Gen Key.