Papers and Documents relating to the Foreign Relations of Hungary, Volume 1, 1919–1920 (Budapest, 1939)

Appendix III. Parliamentary debates

946 a factor in Central Europe, a factor whose importance, I believe, will become increasingly greater. (Approval.) The Great Powers, one after the other, have appreciated and understood this as they were able, sooner or later, to cast off their war mentality. I believe they understand that our position in the Danube-Theiss Valley is such that it will always influence life in this part of the world, no matter what the political alignment may be. With the disappearance of the war mentality, statesmen of the great western nations are returning gradually to the concepts advocated by their outstanding writers, statesmen, philosophers and scholars. They have already returned to the famous assertion of Elisée Reclus, often referred to nowadays, that the people who occupy the centre of the Danube-Theiss basin will always exercise a great influence there as well as on the life of all Eastern Europe. My fellow deputy, Mr. Antal Sigray, mentioned here world solidarity between victor and vanquished. I don't know whether he knew when he spoke today that according to today's news Premier Nitti of Italy also advocates such a solidarity. The Great Powers have comprehended this and I don't think we shall be confronted with an atmosphere which will make rapprochement impossible, if both sides really and earnestly desire it, and preclude us from finding a way which will lead to complete peace and rest. As far as the states surrounding us are concerned, only on our part, unfortunately, is there understanding, is there willingness to weigh the rational consequences of the fact that we were defeated. But it is impossible to speak of understanding in an atmosphere which is being poisoned day after day. It is impossible for us to take even a single step toward understanding when from the detached territories our compatriots are being expelled day after day, (Great commotion. Exclamations: „It'ssad enough !") are being driven from their homes after being deprived of all their possessions. Even if this did not provoke us, if it did not inflame the mood of the population of dismembered Hungary, these states, through simple logic, might easily arrive at the conclusion that people whom they thus mistreated are natural agitators against any peaceful rapprochement. (Approval.) If, therefore, a peaceful solution is desired beyond the demarcation line, then they must first of all put an end to these atrocities (Approval) because without this it is impossible on our part, on the Government's part, to take the steps which lead to rapprochement. This is an appeal which I am compelled to address abroad, an appeal, that our efforts in this direction may be made possible.