The Hungarian Student, 1957 (1. évfolyam, 2-8. szám)
1957 / 5-6. szám
8 The Hungarian Student INTERVIEWS WITH OUR FRIENDS In 1924, in Geneva, the Institute of World Affairs was founded. This body proposed to institute an international seminar where students would meet each summer to search for solutions to economic and political problems. Although the results to be achieved from such a seminar may have appeared modest, many leading personalities of that time recognized the potential value of this organization. Since then the Institute has held annual summer meetings with students from all over the world. Eventually the Institute moved to Connecticut and representatives of six continents now meet at beautiful Twin Lakes in that state. The students usually number 30 or 35. This year, the WUS organized a summer language school for 30 Hungarian students, which took place at Twin Lakes simultaneously with the seminar. The Hungarian students exchanged ideas with the seminar students as much as possible considering their slight knowledge of English. A few students were admitted to the seminar, while the others only attended their regular classes. All of the seminar members were students of political science, economics, international relations and related subjects. It is interesting to note the views of students of different nationalities on the results of the Hungarian Revolt. OLAF VON SLATOW from Germany: How did the Hungarian Revolution influence the East German movement toward reunification ? “We can hardly speak of an East German movement toward reunification because the population is completely suppressed and its ambitions stand in direct contrast to the government. The government, representing absolute power, is not interested in reunification unless it provides for the domination of Communism. The only way the East German population can achieve its aims is by a change of government. The Hungarian Revolution certainly increased the spirit of protest in East Germany, but hopes for any successful revolution within the Soviet-dominated area were diminished. So the influence of the Hungarian Revolution is more or less neutral as regards the East German movement towards reunification.” SHLOMO KEREM from Israel: What do you think about the reaction to the Hungarian Revolution in your country? “The Hungarian Revolution has necesarily aroused the deepest feelings of sympathy in the heart of every Israeli. Our sympathy for the fighters for liberty is of two sources: first, millions of our brothers share the life of people living under the harsh and ruthless Communist rule; secondly, no person who has grown and lived in Israel fails to remember our own fight for a free state against oppressive powers. Moreover, the Hungarian uprising has deepened our hope for freedom in areas even beyond the boundaries set by the Red boot, and with these hopes there seems to draw nearer a peaceful, successful tomorrow, with a free society—something we have been looking forward to since the days of our ancient Prophets.” LOUIS LAUGHLIN from the U.S.A.: What do you feel about the adjustments of the Hungarian refugees to American social life? “I see no really great problems associated with the Hungarian refugees’ fitting into American social life. The most important thing is that the Hungarians learn the English language so that they are able to communicate with Ameiicans. America is a nation made up of people from many countries, and I see no reason why the Hungarians cannot be counted as much an integral part of our people as are the British, French, Dutch, Germans, or any other group which has come to this country. In one sense, it may be rather easy for the Hungarians, because the American people have admiration for their fight against the Communist regime in Hungary.” NIBONDH SASIDHORN from Thailand: What is your opinion about the effect of the Hungarian Revolution among the underdeveloped nations, and particularly in your own country? “Generally speaking, mankind does not fight for food alone. Human pride seems sometimes more important. If man ware only willing to die for food, there would be no difference between man and animal. The Hungarian Revolution, like many Revolutions in history, proves this. It shows that man cannot live without his prida. It is true that nowhere in history can man justify his pride and achieve freedom and liberty without sacrifice. The Hungarian Revolution has added its own history to the struggle between moral power and dark power. Though it was not entirely successful, the innocent blood of the sacrificed Hungarians will succor the immortal spirit of the Hungarian people as they fight for their pride and freedom. Many nations all over the world have felt sincerely and strongly sympathetic with them. These nations hope and wish that one day the Hungarians will be successful, because this will be a victory that is d 3dicated, strong, and immortal.” HENRI VERAART from Holland: What was the Dutch reaction to the Hungarian Revolution ? “I will not speak about the reaction of the Government, but rather about the reaction of the people. From the beginning of the Revolution, we were informed hourly by radio about the situation. In the first days we heard about the incredible courage of the Hungarian people and the progress they made. The people of Holland know what it means to fight for freedom. Hence, the sympathy of all Dutch people was on the side of the Hungarian people. On the other side, there was the most intense hatred of the Soviets. This was proved by a spontaneous destruction of the Communist newspaper offices as well as the Communist Party headquarters—an unreasonable, but quite understandable, reaction. A better reaction was the sending of a Red Cross caravan of hospital trucks with doctors and nurses provided with plasma and other medical equipment. At the same time, the organization of all kinds of material and moral assistance started. In a few days, two millin guilders were collected to send food, blankets and clothes to the Hungarians. The black Sunday of November 4 came. Everywhere was the greatest bewilderment. But assistance increased. Everywhere protest meetings were held in overcrowded squares. The churches were filled during those days with praying men and women, just as in May, 1940. Everybody felt it an injustice that the United Nations was talking more about the Suez crisis than about the crime against the Hungarians. During the whole month of November, daily conversation in Holland was about the Hungarians. The Dutch students were united in one front. A certain student leader who dared to say that it was rebels revolting was almost lynched. Every day we heard more details about the perfidious Russians and the Hungarians’ hopeless battle for freedom. Every day broadcasts told of the growing number of refugees. The Government of an overcrowded Holland decided to admit 3,0C0 Hungarians and an additional temporary 3,000. The Duch, like the Spanish, decided not to participate in the Olympic games. The Dutch people did not wish to see their champions together with the representatives of the Soviet Union. The Dutch regretted very much that their point of view was not shared by more free countries. The battle is lost. Countless Hungarians were killed, countless escaped. Hungary itself was economically destroyed. The Dutch people as a small nation cannot alter the situation, but they will give hospitality to the refugees and they will do their utmost through their representatives in the U.N. Together with the Hungarian people we pray.”
