Krónika, 1945 (2. évfolyam, 2-11. szám)
1945-03-15 / 3. szám
VOLUME II. ÉVFOLYAM 1945 MÁRCIUS 15. NO. 3. SZÁM. What About Hungary The fate of Hungary is tragic. For 1,000 years, since its conversion to Christinity, its boundaries have remained almost unaltered. It has been a bastion, together with Poland, against Oriental barbarism. It is hard for us to believe that its beautiful capital was under Turkish domination for 150 years. The situation was then made worse by constant internal strife, and by the clash of Protestants and Catholics, into which factions the population is still divided. Owing to the -rule of the Turks, who strongly favored the spread of Protestantism, the Kun. Shocking scenes of violence and murder followed, but Bela Kun was starved into submission by the Catholic country people who refused to bring food into the city. This horror was succeeded by an occupation made by the Rumanian army which looted to its heart’s content. It was several years before order was restored, then the Hungarian people determined to make the best of their situation. Through hard work and spirit of unity born of suffering the national spirit was ■■-V ^ " • • : >5- ■' -C-: ■ . Tw&V-Js Church was in danger of dying out, but it was reunited in vigor by the devotion and tireless energy of the Jesuits. At the time of the last great war, Hungary, in its parliament, voted to remain neutral, but its association under one crown with Austria made this impossible. For this enforced participation in a war that no Hungarians wanted, a terrible penalty was exacted. Whilst Germany was left free to recover her strength, Hungary was cut into pieces. Huge portions of her ancient territory were given to Serbs, Rumanians and Czechs. Her land was reduced to one-third of its previous extent. This was not all. Her industries were deprived of sources of raw materials. It was a partition as ghastly and unprincipled as that of Poland in the 18th century. But still this was not all. Deprived of the means of defending themselves the citizens of Budapest fell under the domination of a Pro-Russian Communist leader known as Bela aroused, and some semblance of prosperity began to be evident. Americans who were privileged to attend the Eucharist Congress held at Budapest in 1938 were delighted with their reception. The magnificent demonstration of faith on the part of Catholic was matched by the generous cooperation given by the Protestants. To the visitors the city seemed wholly united and happy. But clouds were gathering at that time, and those who realized true conditions were fearful as to the future. Hitler was then at the height of his power and almost ready to launch his final assault on the liberties of Europe, and indeed, the world. Would it be possible for Hungary to escape? There were two major considerations which made it likely that the Axis would extend its power to the South. It is impossible to suppose that Hungarians would ever be satisfied by an arrangement which gave (Continued on Page 3)
