Papers and Documents relating to the Foreign Relations of Hungary, Volume 1, 1919–1920 (Budapest, 1939)
Appendix III. Parliamentary debates
i027 responsibility. 1 (Approval). It has been rumoured for some time that this will happen ; this escape was not accidental but is directly connected with the advance of the Russian army which, fortunately, was halted yesterday by the Poles. To illustrate concretely the position of the Austrian Government, I should like to refer to a fact which perhaps is not generally known to the House and the world. (Hear ! Hear !) I wish to read from a report of Diner-Dénes, Secretary of State in the People's Commissariat for Foreign Affairs during the bolshevik regime. This report deals with his visit in Vienna on March 25 and 26, 1919 and the first part, relating to his call on Chancellor Renner, reads as follows : „Accompanied by comrades Bolgár and Fenyő, I called on Chancellor Renner. He greeted us very warmly and declared that the German-Austrian Republic reserves the right to choose the time when it will transform itself into a soviet republic." (Laughter and exclamations : „Good luck !") Besides these interrelated problems, we see increased communist agitation all around Hungary. We must take an energetic position against this (Approval) ; but Europe must also take a position. We cannot afford to wait — nor do I believe Europe can afford to wait — until the evil occurs and then stop bolshevism after it has established itself. Europe is today seriously threatened in Poland ; and I should think that statesmen of the Western Powers would have learned from the events which took place a year ago when they tried with half-hearted measures to stop the spread of bolshevism. (Approval). We are now witnessing our sister nation, Poland, with whom for centuries we have fought against the East, fighting with its customary bravery against overwhelming force. (Applause.) We regret that we ourselves cannot rush to their assistance. But with whatever voice is ours in the concert of" Europe, we are insisting that Europe should help Poland, not merely in the interest of Poland or ourselves but in that of the whole continent. (Approval and applause.) For centuries we have been the defenders of Christianity and Western civilization. In this present struggle we shall once more be loyal friends of Poland and we shall give her whatever assistance we possibly can. At present we can give only moral support to her, although we would gladly do more. 2 (Approval and applause.) 1 Cf. Doc. No. 464. 2 Cf. Doc. No. 497 and 538. 62*
