The Case for Hungary

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23507, 18 November 1939, Page 4 (Supplement)

The Case for Hungary

By H. R. RODWELL

IT was in 1927 that Lord Rothermere first became interested in Hungary. The Treaty of Trianon, which laid down the boundaries of Hungary after the war of 1914-1018, had transferred three million Hungarians to other countries—one million to Czeclio-Slovakia, one and a-half millions .to Rumania and 500,000 to »Yugo-Slavia..

The great bulk of these were living in areas bordering on Jho new frontiers of Hungary, and whatever may havo been the strategic importance tp the threo States of tho frontiers as drawn by tho-Treaty, there was created a most awkward, and to the Hungarian people, a most unjust minority prob» lem. It was because he believed that adjustments .to tho peace treaties were essential to the maintenance of European peace, that Lord Rothermere embarked upon his "campaign for Hungary." . In his present book he gives a most interesting account of efforts and of the overwhelming gratitude of tho Hungarian people, which found expression in ways that were often somewhat embarrassing. There, was even a movement on foot to put him forward as a candidate for the vacant throno of Hungary! Lord Rothermere is pleading Hungary's cause and this prevents him on occasion from taking the objective

Lord. Rothermere s Campaign

view necessary to arrive at correct estimates of facts. Thus ho roundly condemns Czocho-Slovakin/s treatment of her Hungarian minority. But other writers of repute (Maurice Hindus for example) toll a very different story. The redistribution of the land among the Hungarian peasants, Lord Rothermor6 regards ae confiscation, and he ignores the great increase in the number of schools (in the Hungarian language) and the encouragement given to the establishment and growth of Hungarian cultural societies. On the other hand ho makes no mention of the loss liberal attitudo adopted by the Hungarian Government toward foreign minorities within Hungary itself. Such criticism does not mean that the case for revision of the Treaty of Trianon was not a strong one. Lord Rothermere obviously has a deep appreciation of the finer qualities of the Hungarian people—their democratic principles, and their warm-heartedness which makea a visit to tho beautiful city of Budapest one of the most delightful experiences that a foreigner can enjoy. But it is not really necessary to use invective against one party in a case to prove - the justice of the other's cause. Such things somewhat mar an otherwise vivid story of a country about whose history and present significance in European affairs too little is known in this country.

"My Campaign for Hungary." by Viscount Rothermere. (Eyre and Spotfiswoode.)