Aras could not give a clear answer to this question, but continued speaking about the Balkans. By way of evidence, he related that in mid-March the German government had demanded two things from Teleki

Count Pál Teleki de Szék, a geographer, he was Hungarian prime minister and in charge of foreign affairs, 1920–21 and 1939–41.

(the Hungarian prime minister): (1) that the entire Hungarian railway network be put under German administration in the event of war in the Balkans, and (2) that Germany be supplied with a quantity of food exceeding Hungarian food exports to all countries.

Teleki was shocked and replied that the Hungarian government was simply unable to procure so much food from the country. Then the German government declared: if you are unable to do this, allow us to send an unarmed division to Hungary to make requisitions. This really put the wind up Teleki, and as soon as the talks in Brenner were over, he hurried to Rome to seek Mussolini’s protection. Mussolini assured Teleki that Italy was a good friend of Hungary, but advised him not to quarrel with Germany. The Germans are currently waging a campaign against Teleki in order to replace him with Csáky

Count István Csáky, Hungarian foreign minister, 1938–41.

(foreign minister), who suits them better.

Aras is sure that Germany will demand 100% of the Balkan countries’ exports of raw materials and food in the nearest future.