PAST AND PRESENT DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING CARPATHO-RUTHENIA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00047R000200720005-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 17, 2013
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: May 12, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release @50-Yr2013/04/17:CIA-RDP82-00047R000200720005-4
, CLASSIFICATION SECRET/SECURITY INFCM 6r
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
COUNTRY USSR/Czechoslovakia
SUBJECT Past and Present Developments concerning
Carpatho-Ruthenia
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE
ACQU I RED
DATE OF INFORMATION
THIS ODCUUENT CONTAINS oliroRmAropri AFFECTING THE NATIoNAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES, WITHIN TOE MEANING Of TITLE II, SECTIONS 793
AND 794, Of THE U.S. CODE, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR RC BF ?
LAT1ON OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT LT AN UNAUTNORIEEO PERRON IS
FRONIRITEO BY LAW. THE nEretnoucTlom CF TNIS 12 PRONISITEO.
DATE DISTR./ May 1953
NO. OF PAGES .1.1. 50X1
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(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
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THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
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1.
In 1848 the Ruthenian independence leader, Dobriansky, sent a letter tx)
the Austrian emperor, Francis Joseph, in which he asked that independent,
be granted to Bukovina, Galicia and sub-Carpathia. In 1918 Ruthenian
spokesmen addressed a memorandum to President Wilson asking for the it
dependence of their homeland. In the same year, a large number of Ruthtnin
delegates convened in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and debated the future 3f
Carpatho-Ruthenia. About 26 to 2, % of those present voted in favor
of merging the area with the Ukraine, whereas 60 % favored the ee-
tablishment of an autonomous area within Czechoslovakia. Their votes
strongly influenced the disposal of that problem.
2. Czechoslovak policy toward Ruthenia was quite liberal during the period
from 1920 to 1924. Thereafter the Prague government followed a narrow
Czech policy vis-a-vis Carpatho-Ruthenia. From the viewpoint of the
Ruthenians, this policy had the following defects:
a. The personnel policy was so one-sided that administrative positions on all
levels, including the police and post office, were filled predominantly by
Czechs.
b. The cultural policy was closely tied in with the personnel policy. In the
1930s, more than 1,200 teachers in Carpatho-Ruthenia were of Czech national
origin. By contrast, practically none of the schoolchildren were Czechs.
hto point out frequently during those years, this narro,fli
Czech policy offered the Communists good propaganda arguments.
C. Under a land reform sponsored by the Prague government, most of the land
re-distribute d in Ruthenia was awarded to Czech legionnaires (veterans
of World War I). The Communists succesafelly utilized this fact for prop-
aganda purposes as well.
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d. In the political sphere the policy of the Czechoslovak Government favored
the extension of Czech political organizations tothe Carpathian area, Czech
parties established affiliates in the Carpatho-Ukraine although there was
no indigenous need for them.
3. When confronted with the argument that the Treaty of Sam Germain accorded
a high degree of autonomy to Carpatho-Ruthenia, the Czechoslovak Government
claimed that the cultural level of the Ruthenians was too low to permit the
application of such progressive principles. Autonomy was promised to the
Carpathian Ukraine at a later date but in the meantime every single govern-
ment measure was directed toward the suppression of Ruthenian influence in
the Carpatho-Ukraine.
4. The 1938 constitution of Czechoslovakia awarded to Slovakia and Carpatho-
Ruthenia the status of federated republics. In October 1938 a state govern-
ment for the Carpatho-Ukraine was formed in which Dr Bacinsky, (f nu) Brody
and Julian Revay were ministers; Monsignor VolosIvn and Dr Piescak served
as "secretaries" to that government. On 15 Mar 39 the government of
the Carpatho-Ukraine proclaimed its independence from Czechoslovakia.
Monsignor Voloshyn became President, and Julian Revay became Prime Minister.
These appointments were quickly confirmed by the Sejm (Parliament), whose
president, Professor Augustine Stephan, now lives in the US.
5. The establishment of an independent Carpatho-Ukraine at that time was favored
also by the "Scranton group" which addressed a memorandum to that effect to
the U$ Government. Almost at the moment that an independent Carpatho-Ukraine
was established, the Hungarians invaded the country. Resistance was fierce.
Count Teleki afterwards told the Hungarian parliament that the Hungarian.
Army had suffered greater casualties in the occupation of the Carpatho-Ukraine
than in the occupation pf all other areas combined. Although the Hungarians
had established complete control over the country by 30 Apr 39 active
resistance continued throughout their occupation. Thousands of Ruthenians
were severely penalized by the Hungarians for activities directed againet
their occupation authorities. Thousands of other Ruthenians fled eastward
to Soviet-held territory. Prior to the occupation of Czechoslovakian terri-
tory by the Soviet Army, 90% of the soldiers of the Svoboda Arm'
were from Carpatho-Ruthenia; only the officers were predominantly Czech.
After the occupation of Slovak territory, there was a marked influx of Slo-
vaks into the so-called Czech Army of General Svoboda. After the occupation
of Prague by the Soviet Army, the Svoboda Army was disbanded and most of
the-men returned to their homes.
6. Because of their disappointment with the Czechoslovak regime and their
hatred for the Hungarian occupation, not only the Communist supported par-
tisans but also the Ruthenian nationalist underground viewed the Soviet Army
as a liberation force in 1944. For the same reasons politically vocal
elements among the Ruthenians favored, the incorporation of the area sub-
sequently known as the Carpathian eblast (Zakarpatska oblast) into the
Ukrainian SSR. A public drive for signatures in favor or Incorporating
the Carpatho-Ukraine into the USSR was apparently quite successful. To
understand this one must bear in mind the people's reaction to Hungarian
misrule and the effectiveness of propaganda which at that time was more
or less echoed by Western information media. In November 1944 a council
or reda was convened at Mukacevo and voted enanimously to join the USSR. 50X1
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initial reaction to colleetivization in the Carpathian
oblast was likewise favorable and that there was no significant opposition
to it as late as 1950. Large landholders, especially Hungarians and churches,
had owned most of the land in Carpatho-Ruthenia prior to collectivizatioa,
whereas the majority of the people led a sub-standard existence. When the
Soviets transformed the former estates into big collectives, many RuthenLans
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were therefore quite pleased. Although no detailed information is available
signs of opposition and even acts of sabotage against
collectives have occurred during the last three years and indicate that the
Ruthenian population has finally understood that any short-range gains under
the Soviet system are elusive.
8. The people of the Carpathian oblast are most strongly opposed. to Soviet
policy in religious matters. Following the practice adopted earlier in the
Soviet Ukraine, the Soviet regime has suppressed the Catholic Church of the
Eastern Rite in the Carpathian ssonst. All Catholic priests who would, not
announce their subservience to the Orthodox Church lead an illegal existence
in the country but it has been stated that they are supported ideologically
and materially by many people. I have even been informed that Catholic
masses are still being celebrated in the foreats. Many Orthodox priests
are considered as Mosaics; agents since it has become known that they use
confessions to obtain denunciations of anti-Orthodox and anti-Soviet indiv-
iduals.
9. Russianization? which is being advanced all over the USSR, is as wholeheartedly
opposed in the Carpathian oblast ns Magyarization was some years ago.
10.
11.
12.
In general, consumer goods including clothing and
mechanical equipment are more plentiful in the towns (at the cooperative
stores) whereas the rural areas are relatively better supplied with agri
cultural products. The result is a considerable extra-legal barter and
outright black market trade between urban and rural areas.
The largest military detachments reportedly are stationed at Uzhorod.
According to rumors, up to 15,000 troops were stationed there in 1950.
Population figures are believed to demonstrate the influx of personnel of
the armed forces or working in defense industries. The total pre-World
War II population of the Carpathian Ukraine vas 750,000. Of the 120,000
Jews included in this nutber, fewer than 20,000 are still residing in the
area. Of 100,000 Hungarians, only about on' half are left in the Carpathian.
oblast. Some 50,000 inhabitants of the area were forcibly resettled in
different regions of the USSR.
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In spite of these sizable population
movements, the population of the Carpathian oblast was estimated at 950,000
to one million in 1950 or considerably more than the pre-war figure. Of
the total population, some 600,000 are believed to be ethnically Ukrainians,
Only a sizable influx of non-Ukrainian elelants, presumably from other areas
of the USSR and for military service and defense industries, could account
for the present population picture.
the Soviet-Czechoslovak border is much more strongly guarded than the
Soviet-Hungarian border. On the Soviet side of the frontier an area sev
eral kilometers deep has been cleared and mine fields laid.
MVD border patrols in the area are ao-
companied by dogs. The reason for these extraordinary security precautions
is presumably that many Ruthenians have relatives or friends in Slovakia
and would attempt to escape in that direction rather than to Hungary.
About 150,000 Ruthenians of Ukrainian ethnic stock now live in Slovakia.
They enjoy certain autonomous rights, maintain a Ukrainian National Rada
in Presov and live altogether under less pressure than their fellow country-
men on the Soviet side of the border.
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13. Ruthenian
defectors from the Carpathian selisst.
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nationalist resistance to Soviet rule has been r
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U by a few
many young
Ruthenians have taken to the woods and formed anti-Soviet partisan units.
While it cannot be claimed that they control any given area, they make the
more inaccessible regions extremely hazardous. Thus army or MVD escort ir
company strength is said to be required for Soviet officials moving through
mountainous areas in the Carpathian ob3ast, At least prior to 1950 several
bridges were blown up and trains on the line from Uzhorod to Kiev were re-
peatedly sabotaged.
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14. The future of the Carpatho-Ruthenians appears doubtful even if the Soviet
regime were removed and Russian influence reduced. Ruthenian emigres ale
split into groups--not necessarily well organized--one of which seeks the
establishment of an. independent Ruthenian state in a federation. of Central
and East European countries. Other. Ruthenian elements favor a Ruthenia in-
tegrated into a f r e e Ukraine. And there are still other Ruthenians who
aspire to a certain autonomous status for Ruthenia in a new Czechoslovakia,
15. The attitude of Czechoslovak emigre groups toward Ruthenia likewise
between the different organizations
a. The Prchala Group claims to represent only Czech nationality interests;
does not attempt to represent Slovaks and Ruthenians. It takes the posi
that friendly relations with these nationality groups would be desirable
the Czech point of view but that the initiative should rest with the ren
sentatives of the other nationalities,
from
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Prchala did not appear to
be opposed to Slovak independence. Prchala views the Ruthenians as a part
of the Ukrainian nationality stock and believes that Czech politicians shoued
not complicate the future by renewing territorial claims to Carpetho-Ruthenea.
b. The Czechoslovak National Committee under Zeakl is working for the restoration
of the Czechoslovak Republic as it existed prior to 1938. Some Slovak e and
Ruthenians are represented on the Committee.
law Ferdinec
argue that their policy represents US State
of Czechoslovakia. I
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One of the Ruthenians is Ladle-
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He and others of like mind
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Department views on the future
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c. Slovak independence groups, including the Slcvak National Ceuncil undps
Sidor (Toronto, Ontario) and the Slovak Liberation Committee under Duzeanei_s
(in Argentina) advocate the establishment of independent states formed on
the basis of ethnic homogeneity within a mid-European federations it stands
to reason that they are strongly opposed to any Czechoslovak orientation.
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