Page:Paul Samuel Reinsch - Secret Diplomacy, How Far Can It Be Eliminated? - 1922.djvu/145

 happened since the armistice, the Franco-Hungarian in- trigues are specially to be noted as emphasizing the great danger of secret methods, in which a government runs the risk of being committed by persons, irresponsible or not properly controlled, into embarrassing and harmful situations. We know of these particular facts through confiden- tial reports discovered and published, officially recognized by certain governments, though for- mally denied by the Magyar Cabinet. These papers give working details of what was already known in general terms concerning reactionary Hungarian intrigues in Czecho-Slovakia and Aus- tria, including preparations for an armed upris- ing, and other assistance to monarchists. French interests were at the same time active in Hun- gary. They made an agreement for a leasing of the Hungarian state railways for fifty years. Ac- cording to this contract, the Hungarian Govern- ment is bound to consult the diplomatic repre- sentative of the French Government concerning every measure which may have a bearing on any clause of the agreement. A political compact was simultaneously initialed in which the French Gov- ernment withdrew its opposition to universal mili- tary service in Hungary, and that country was to be assisted in boundary rectifications at the ex-