Journalist, Spy, Propagandist: About Vándory Lajos and His Activity in Romania (1876–1885)

Abstract

Towards the end of the 19th century, the relations between Austria-Hungary and Romania experienced several delicate episodes, caused by the diametrically opposed interests of the two sides regarding the specific realities of South-Eastern Europe. The rulers in Vienna and especially those in Budapest could only see the Romanian state as an obstacle to their plans, and therefore tried to quickly learn and decipher the diplomatic and political intentions and initiatives of the Romanian decision-makers. On different occasions, in order to obtain the necessary information, they resorted to setting up and supporting networks of influencers, propagandists and spies, both in Transylvania and across the Carpathians. The present article aims to add details to the depiction of an interesting figure, Vándory Lajos, who, according to the press of the time and several archival documents, was one of those who operated within the territory of the Romanian state as a spy, under the cover of working as a journalist. At various times, by his actions, he contributed to the further straining of the already problematic Romanian-Hungarian relations. Keywords: Vándory Lajos, Romanian-Hungarian relations, press, propaganda, espionage