Memorandum by Department of External Affairs
'Irish Relief for Hungary - Dr. Imre de Kosinsky'

Dr. de Kosinsky is a member of Catholic Action in Hungary and, according to his letter to the Taoiseach, is representing Cardinal Mindszenty in his efforts to obtain relief supplies for Hungary from Switzerland, Italy, Great Britain and Ireland.

In February last the Taoiseach received a telegram from Cardinal Mindszenty - who was then attending the Consistory in Rome - appealing for food for Hungary and asylum for Hungarian children. The Taoiseach replied that supplies were already being sent to Hungary through the International Red Cross and assured the Cardinal that they would be continued. He added that we would be glad to receive Hungarian children if the authorities concerned in Hungary and in the intermediate countries would give the necessary facilities.

On our instructions Dr. Kiernan called on the Cardinal to discuss these matters more fully. Dr. de Kosinsky was present at the interview. Both he and the Cardinal declared that supplies sent to Hungary through the International Red Cross reach only Communist sympathisers. The Cardinal asked that our supplies should be sent personally to him through the Pontifical Relief Commission at the Vatican. Dr. Kiernan subsequently mentioned this proposal to Monsignor Montini, who expressed the view that the International Red Cross would themselves be able to send the supplies direct to the Cardinal. Incidentally there was recently a public scandal in Rome about suspected misappropriation of supplies by high officials of the Pontifical Relief Commission.

A similar allegation about the International Red Cross was made to us a few weeks later by Miss Patricia Reay Coffey, an Irish girl who had just returned from Hungary. She brought with her a letter for the Taoiseach from Dr. Mihalovics, Director of Catholic Action in Hungary, supporting Cardinal Mindszenty's appeal for relief supplies from Ireland. The day following her visit, however, we received through the International Red Cross a warm letter of thanks from Dr. Mihalovics for 46 tons of Irish sugar. A copy of this letter is attached.¹

Further proof that our supplies are reaching the Catholic populations of the Central European countries is afforded by the letters received by the Taoiseach from Cardinal Innitzer and the Bishop of St. Pölten in Austria and from many Catholic organisations in Germany. We have found the International Red Cross most satisfactory and efficient and neither this Department nor the Department of Industry & Commerce would be disposed to recommend any change in the channel of distribution.

Last year only one-fifth of our relief supplies was allocated to the International Red Cross for distribution in the Central European countries so the amount sent to each of these countries was necessarily small. Up to the 19th March the following goods had either been sent to Hungary or were earmarked to go there:-

This year it has been decided to send no supplies to Holland and Belgium, as these two countries are now relatively well off, and to reduce the supplies for France and Italy. We shall, therefore, be able to place much greater quantities at the disposal of the International Red Cross. The Red Cross have promised to draw up a distribution plan and to send it to us for our approval.

As regards Hungarian refugee children, Dr. Kiernan told us that his conversation with the Cardinal was rather inconclusive. The Cardinal was very 'vague and helpless', but it was eventually decided that, on his return to Budapest, he would request the Burgomaster to guarantee exit permits for the children. Nothing further has since been heard from him. He told Dr. Kiernan that he would not be able to communicate direct with the Taoiseach from Budapest and that he would have to correspond through the Vatican. Dr. de Kosinsky was apprehensive that the Swiss authorities would refuse transit visas for the children for fear of offending the Russians. This seems hardly credible and we feel sure that Swiss visas will be forthcoming once Hungarian exit permits and Irish entry visas can be guaranteed.