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

Appendix III. Parliamentary debates

949 has to be found which leads to understanding and equilibrium. This is, I think, what my friend Sigray said also. And here I should like once more to emphasize that this view ought to prevail abroad as well as at home among those who wish to see Europe regain her balance. Those basic principles are to be sought which are inherent in the countries themselves; and not those passing incidents which were created by war psychosis; let them break with this and return to the consideration of that which is permanent and everlasting; everlasting to the same degree as it is possible for nations and countries to have eternal life. For our part we must display our inherent forces and strengthen those resources which are within us. We must strengthen that moral power, the only treasure we have fully preserved, which neither the World War nor its aftermath was able to destroy altogether. That moral power is again asserting itself in our newly awakened nation and has enabled this country — utterly deprived of material goods and for months undermined in its moral outlook — not only to discover the path of consolidation in so short a time but to proceed thereon with firm steps. This the foreign countries can see, but we must continue on the road and I believe we can do it only by demonstrating our strength and unity at home: in Parliament, in society, in political and social life (General approval) and by presenting a united front to the outside world. Then we shall have friends abroad; I do not say unselfish friends but at least selfish ones. But I believe that even in the lives of individuals there are few unselfish friends and in the lives of nations there are certainly no unselfish friends. (Approval.) And since there are none, we must create values with which to gain selfish friends. (Approval.) We shall even regain our lost material resources. But for this we need more time. For the regaining of moral values, will power alone is necessary; will power for unity. I hope you will allow me to refer to some personal considerations in accordance with which I accepted this position (Hear ! Hear !) and which have been, perhaps, somewhat misconstrued. I have regarded it as my first and most important duty to show unity to the outside world and to be honestly able to do this. The foreign minister whose task it is to represent his country before the world necessarily must not be compelled to play the part of a Pharisee when outwardly he represents his country to be united. This accounts for my insistent requests for a much stronger Parliamentary unity; that is why I have urged that matters of detail, resulting from party politics, be set aside. I believe that today it is impossible to pursue a com-