Fraternity-Testvériség, 1941 (19. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1941-02-01 / 2. szám
12 TBSTVrtKIS«G during the unusually cold winter. Both armies had suffered cruelly. Pickets were found often dead, frozen to the bone in the Siberian weathef of the winter-nights. Meanwhile the troops of Prince Windischgraetz, the commanding general of the Austrian army, were approaching the capital. Another long leading article in the Dec. 28th number, anticipating the fall of Pest and Buda, which actually followed a few days later, compared the catastrophic defeat of the Hungarians to the battles of Mohács in 1526 and of Győr when Napoleon routed the insurgent army of the Hungarian nobles and gentry, in 1815. The first news of Hungarian success against the Austrians arrived in London in the first days of March. It was almost unbelievable, and, of course, the official news service of the Austrians simply denied everything for weeks. Towards the end of the month, however, tt was clear to everybody that the Austrian army had a series of great defeats and the successes of the Hungarians were greater than even their friends ever dared to hope. The title of the leading article in the March 3rd number was: “The Hungarian Successes.” The article painted out that the Hungarians showed greater military strength and a braver national spirit than Europe had expected from them. The hopes of the Hungarians to regain their liberty, in spite of their successes on the battlefields, were soon shattered. On May 10th we can read the first of the many leading articles on the intervention of the Russians on behalf of Austria. The article reproved Austria, because, -after letting the French loose on the Italians who were fighting for their liberty, now she had called upon the Russians to crush the Hungarians. The Russian intervention against Hungary was now the most interesting subject not only to “The Times,” but probably everywhere in Europe. In its May 20th number the paper published a long and original report of the dethronement of the Habsburgs, declared by the Hungarian Parliament -in Debrecen on Apr. 14th. “The Times” had readily agreed with the Hungarians that for them this was the most natural thing to do. The June 1st number published the report of the reconquest of Buda from the Austrians which took plaace on May 21st. This time it was evident in England too that the Hungarians had not the slightest chance of victory against the united forces of the Austrians and Russians. The situation was summed up in the leading article of the July 2nd number. The title of the article was: "The Hungarian War.” The writer of this artitcle -inveighed in unusually strong words against the Austrian government, calling its policy stupid and reckless. It was an unpardonable folly on the part of Austria — we can read in the article — to bring the Russians against the Hungarians, who never were a rebellious mob, but one of the oldest and noblest nations of Europe. On their part it was a rightful and just act, and by no means a rebellion, when they wanted to defend Our armies shake the solid shore, Our fleets are on the sea; If we strike ,the world is ours, Every serf in Europe free. YII If we march, the world goes with us; All the gathered wrongs of years Shall be swept away, and vanish Before our gleaming spears. “The lightning has its power, And the hurricane its breath,” Hut our voice, more strong than either, Dooms all tyranny to death. VIII Take down the musket from the wall, Gird on the trusty sword — Fling forth our storm-torn banner, Leave the wine-cups on the board; Call up the memory of the past, Think, think whose sons ye are, And rush bravely forth to battle With Austria and the Czar. IX Shall they in distant Europe Strike a struggling nation down. And we not rise to crush them With the fierceness of our frown? Shall we linger on our mission, When the blood, and tears, and groans. Of crushed and bleeding Hungary, Might move the very stones? X Has our land a hill or valley, Where a free-born Yankee lives, Who would not for Kossuth rally, With the impulse freedom gives? Who would not for God and liberty Flash forth his patriot steel, And teach the serfs of Europe What sympathies we feel? XI Has the love of arms subsided With the reign of gentle peace? Shall we look on in silence While the foes of man increase? Shall we see a haughty despot On a nation place his yoke, And not some of word of comfort For the crushed and weak invoke? XII Shall we go down in silence To the graves our fathers fill — Forgetful of their memories, Their indomitable will? Forgetful of their valor, That like a flame gushed forth,
