June 5, 1951 2:45 p.m.
MEMORANDUM FOR THE VOGELER FILE
Mr. Robert A. Vogeler called at his request this afternoon to express his deep gratitude to the Secretary for taking a personal interest in his case throughout the long period of 17 months during which he was held incommunicado, brought to trial, and sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Hungarian Communist authorities. In the course of his brief call, Mr. Vogeler made particular reference to the consideration shown by the Secretary in taking time out from his busy schedule to talk to Mrs. Vogeler in London during his visit there in May 1950. Mr. Vogeler also thanked the Secretary for the persistent efforts made by the Department and by the American Legation in Budapest in his behalf, which finally led to his release and departure from Hungary on April 28, 1951. He said he felt especially indebted to the American Minister, Mr. Nathaniel P. Davis, who had done so much to obtain his freedom.
The Secretary remarked to Mr. Vogeler that the Department was extremely gratified that he had regained his freedom and was safely reunited in the United States with his family and friends. The Secretary referred to the telegram of thanks which Mr. Vogeler had addressed to him from Vienna and said he greatly appreciated Mr. Vogeler's thoughtfulness in the matter. He expressed the hope that Mr. Vogeler was making a rapid recovery from his ordeal and inquired regarding his plans. Mr. Vogeler explained that he had been a patient at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda for several weeks after his return to the United States and, though he had recently been discharged, was continuing to receive treatment as an out-patient. He added that he planned to leave shortly for a six weeks' vacation in Colorado, where he hoped to enjoy a complete rest in the company of his immediate family.
Mr. Vogeler referred to the series of interviews which he is currently holding with Department officers for the purpose of providing the Department with a complete record of his treatment and experiences at the hands of the Hungarian authorities. He said he thought that substantial progress had been made in these interviews and said that he wished to give the Department as much information as possible. He stated further that if the
- 2 -
interviews could not be completed prior to his trip west he would be available upon his return to Washington and would give as much time as might be necessary to relate his story in full.
The Secretary thanked Mr. Vogeler for his cooperation with the Department in this regard and expressed the opinion that the record in Mr. Vogeler's case, when completed, would be an extremely valuable document which would throw a clear light on the violation of human rights by the Communist regime of Hungary and upon the police methods which are generally practiced behind the Iron Curtain.
EUR:EE:RMMcKisson:msl