REFUGEES FROM HUNGARY

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28158, 22 December 1956, Page 12

REFUGEES FROM HUNGARY

Hungarian Girl Aids Compatriots

WORK WITH CANADIAN AIRLINE VIENNA. A 24-vear-old Hungarian girl who o scaned from her homeland only two weeks ago. has found “the only job in the world” which makes her completely hapoy. Maria —who must remain anoymous —is helping her countrymen flv to Canada. Besides her regular dailv iob. she is working at night with Canadian Pacific Airline’s employees who are sending over 400 Hungarian refugees to Canada.

Night after night she uses her knowledge of four languages to check nassenger lists, and fill out visa forms But her most important duty is to seek out and identify Hungarians who are scattered in refugee camps throughout Vienna.

In spite of her good works. Maria's p uU name must remain a secret because she fears for her mother and sister who are still in Hungary. She explained. “Pe°nle from Canada cannot really realise the danger for us over here. I dare not tell vou my last name because I am terrified lest something horrible might befall my loved ones.”

She added. “I have an uncle living in Mexico City, and if it was possible. I would like to go and live with him. However I cannot. I feel I cannot leave Vienna when I know my relatives are still in Hungary.”

Maria was so cautious that she would not mention the name of her home town. She explained: “I can tell vou I am heloing Canadian Pacific Airlines, but I’m even afraid to mention the name of the firm which employs me here in Vienna. You see. I cannot afford to make even one slip—it may cost a life.” Maria crossed the border between Hungary and Austria at Deutsch Kreutz. about 100 miles east of Vienna, with a group of five other refugees. She said they had very little trouble. “Several times during the crossins’ we saw Hungarian and Russian soldiers, but we safely eluded them everv time, because we had a Suinc. ‘•Right now,” she added, “about 2000 of my countrymen are entering Austria every day. and we don’t know how long this will keen up. “But I do know one thing, she sard. “I know I must keep on with this work until all Hungarians in Vienna who wish to go to new countries will achieve this hone they have nurtured through the bad times.”