HUNGARY’S PROGRAMME

Evening Star, Issue 22638, 3 May 1937, Page 13

HUNGARY’S PROGRAMME

UNITY AND FARM MARKETS All Governments and practically all politicians in Hungary' hav© essentially the same policy—namely,- recovery from the effects of-the World War. In external- politics; that means treaty revision and - good trade relations. In internal politics it means national unity, the cultural and spiritual elevation of the masses and such economic adaptation as will enable 8,000,000 persons to thrive on the restricted territory : left to Hungary by the peace treaty of St. Germain. The aims are all simple, and have been given to Hungary, not by clever or astute statesmen, but by historyThe collapse of Hungary at the end of the World .War. was ~meUowed_,by a short Soviet dictatorship. The old army and Conservatives then rallied, overcome the Communists, and set up their own Government. They made Hungary a kingdom without a king. A distinguished Admiral, Nicholas Horthy, was chosen regent, and a dispossessed noble who had emigrated from Hungarian territory annexed by the Rumanians, Count Stefan Bethlen, became Premier. He directed Hungarian affairs for 10 years, and was succeeded by another titled land magnate, who in turn gave way to Julius Gomhos, who passed on last October. Now Koloman Daranyi is Premier, But all these Governments have been essentially the same. They have pursued the same policy, counted for_ support on the same social group and the same Parliament. Party lines are not closely drawn. Most of the 255 members of Parliament agree on essential points. What divides them, is personal rivalries. Tha Opposition is. opposed to the fact that it is not in the Government. As, to Hungary’s needs, there is unanimity of opinion. Ope of the essential points in this 'general platform is that Hungary must find..outside,friends that are against the peace treaties, as well as opposed to the States which took Hungarian territory and populations at the close of the World War. In pursuance of this policy Budapest Governments have woed and won Italy, Austria, Poland, and_ Germany. This is a natural friendship. When Adolf Hitler, Col. Gen. Hermann Goring, and Dr Joseuh Goebbels, of Germany, and Signor Benito Mussolini of Italy make speeches on foreign affairs they say. things that most Hungarians heartily approve of—namely, that tha present map must he altered, that treaties are not eternal, that dynamic forces bring changes, that certain peoples got a bad deal and must expand. Hungary hopes that this expansion will cause general treaty revision, bringing advantage to her. Secondly, Hungary is left as an agricultural country, so must sell_ wheat, fruit, live stock, vegetables, oils, and other products of the soil. Natural buyers for such products are Germany, Austria, and’ltaly, so for commercial reasons also Hungary goes with these Powers. Practically all party leaders are agreed upon this foreign policy.

CO-OPERATION WITH GERMANY* Many oppose Herr Hitler, all fear a powerful Germany, and some want the Hapsburgs back, but in general they seek co-operation _ with both Germany and Italy. Outside of the Jews,the Reds, and the fanatical Legitimists, there is no opposition among responsible leaders to co-operation with. Germany, though most Hungarians dislike National Socialism. Hungary’s programme in internal affairs is to create an industry that will make the land independent of foreign countries, is to favour tha peasants, who form 50 per cent, of the population, improve .popular education, reduce foreign influence (especially that of the Jews), make higher education conform, in kind and quality, to Hungary’s needs, permit the masses larger participation in the Government, increase production, and improve the general welfare. These ideals were once expressed in 95 . points formulated by the , lato Premier, Julius Gombos. Practically all political, leaders accepted them. They constituted an acceptable though vague reform programme. But how can they be brought to realisation? Politicians answer that question in different ways. A few demand a sort of Fascist dictatorship* but most are strongly opposed to that. Some want. a., large degree of popular government, but most are afraid of that. This problem now faces the new Prime Minister,,Koloman Daranyi. He is firm, but prefers co-operation to strife, and is trying to carry out a common Hungarian policy with the help of all groups; • His chief rivals are former Prime Minister Count Stephen Bethlen, and-the vigorous chief of tha Small Farmers’ Party, Tiber Eckhardt, He also has other antagonists with' much personal force, but with small followings. Premier Daranyi has con* suited with the whole opposition, - as* siired them of his desire for co-opera* tion. and received assurances of thei< goodwill.— ‘ Christian Science Monitor A