The Fate of Western Hungary 1918-1921 - Corvinus Library ...

in the skirmish and the gendarmes took him in a horse-drawn wagon, tied up, to
a hospital on the other side of the border. Along the way, the defenseless
wounded man was set upon and beaten by the populace, almost being lynched
in Kirschlag but for the intervention of an Austrian regimental doctor. 344
The following day, September 3, PM Bethlen informed Deputy
Commissioner Villani at 11:00 that he intends to take the afternoon express
train to Sopron. The following day, he would “like to drive the length of the
front by car” and return to Budapest from Szombathely.
Baron Villani: “Nothing to report, complete silence reigns.”
They had not received an official report yet of the previous day’s clash at
Pörgölény, neither did they know whether Imre Egan died or was captured by
Austrians.
Bethlen: “The Austrians have not committed other atrocities? Because we want
to take diplomatic steps in this matter and it is desirable that we know about all
similar events to be able to start the counter-offensive. Naturally, we want well
founded, true news.”
Villani: “I have spoken to the chief magistrate of Felsőőr who said that the
rebels are keeping exemplary order, not committed any crimes. The population
likes them very much and provides them with cheap foodstuffs. A number of
the population has joined [the rebels]. A part of the rebel force is without arms.
General Ferrario [the Italian general of the Sopron Entente Mission-J.B.] met
with them the day before yesterday in Felsőőr and now he is also in agreement,
having seen how the population of Vas County do not want the Austrians. The
generals are calmed down, that Ostenburg has restored order so forcefully. The
Croat speaking villages ask us, through delegations, to arm them against the
Austrians.”
Baron Villani seemed to know that “according to reliable information
representative Scholtz has been freed. However, the parish priest of Királyfalva
from Vas County, the one I reported by telegram, they don’t want to release and
are treating him very badly. (…) The rebels have most recently issued [postal]
stamps with the overprinting ‘The part of Hungary occupied by free forces’.”
The prime minister finally revealed to Villani: “We are expecting the Entente
note today which, according to our information, will not contain an
ultimatum.” 345
In his 19:00 report to the PM’s office, Baron Villani reported that the
344 Krug, Lajos, ifj.: 1921. A nyugatmagyarországi szabadságharc története [1921. The
history of the Western Hungary freedom fight]. In: Emlékezés. (1921-1931). Szerk/ed.:
Tóth, Alajos. Magyar Kir. Bányamérnöki és Erdőmérnöki Főiskolai Ifjúsági Kör.
Sopron, 1932, pp. 92-93.
345 MOL. K 26. 1388. csomó. 1920–„H” tétel, pp. 360–361, 364.
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