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

Council of Foreign Ministers, and the Supreme Council of Four, usually
accepted, without alteration, the suggestions of the committees for border
determination, which operated very superficially and without regard for facts,
or actual ethnic realities – except when those decisions would have been
favorable to Hungary. Decisions to carve up a 1000 year-old country were
made in such crude fashion.
As we noted earlier, the idea of annexing Western Hungary to Austria had
not even surfaced in February-March of 1919, although claims to it were raised
in October of 1918 by the representatives to the interim Austrian National
Council who championed the idea of a Greater Germany and Anschluss. The
terms of the Austrian treaty were handed to the Austrian representatives on
June 2, 1919, in which the Austria-Hungary border remained as that
determined in the year of the Dualism, 1867 (the traditional, millennial border).
This was not accidental because the Entente Powers were clearly aware that
pre-1867, Austria did not exist as an independent country. Even afterward, it
was only as the other founding country of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy –
with Hungary.
One of the most astonishing chapters of David Miller’s stenographic notes
deals with the question of the Austria-Hungary border. The revealing series of
facts shocks even those with only a rudimentary knowledge of the proceedings
of the Trianon peace treaty. It is unique in the history of the world that, at an
international peace conference, a boundary dispute is settled without any
official consultation of the affected parties. According to Miller’s notes, the
chief delegates were the most surprised when the topic was tabled. Miller
recorded this interesting committee debate thusly:
Sonnino (Baron Sidney, Italian Foreign Minister): “I do not see the need to
discuss this border question without preliminaries.”
Pichon (Stephen Jean Marie, French Foreign Minister): “ I think I am clear
that we appointed no sub-committee to deal with this border question.”
Lansing (Robert, American Secretary of State): “If that is the case, for
myself, I fully agree with Mr. Sonnino’s opinion and see no need to make
any amendments to the present border.”
Balfour (Arthur James, British Foreign Minister): “I consider a border
amendment possible because, allegedly, a large number of Germans live in
this territory and they allegedly wish to join Austria. If this is a fact, then it
would be desirable to make preparations to discuss this matter.”
Sonnino: “To the best of my knowledge, a request in this direction has not
surfaced either from Austria or Hungary.”
Balfour: “In my view, the Great Powers are not very interested in this
question. But, in light of the ongoing difficulties between Austria and
Hungary, it would be good to dispose of this question because it can still
create great difficulty if left disorganized.
Sonnino: “I do not understand and can give no reason for why difficulties
would arise in the relations between these two countries.”
Pichon: “In my opinion, it is unnecessary to put this question on the
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