Új Magyar Út, 1954 (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1954-05-01 / 5-6. szám
CONTENTS The greatest item was the return of Transylvania. This province is well known in the history for having been the bastion of European religious freedom in thé XVI. and XVII. centuries. Its return to Hungary secured the decent life of Transylvania’s population, subjugated by the previous rule. This area, also with a mixed population, was given to Romania by the treaty of Trianon. Hungary, knowing the strong political ties between Germany and Romania, could not expect any German assistance, therefore she prepared for an armed liberation of Transylvania. Romania requested arbitration. Hitler agreed only hesitatingly to take part in the arbitration because, in the sight of the already threatening Russian colossus, he did not want any disturbance in the “Southeast European theatre.” In the negotiations the Hungarian interests were represented by Count Ciano, the Italian foreign minister, while Ribbentrop was defending the interests of his loyal Romanians. As a result, the new border was faultily drawn, but it still liberated huge Hungarian masses. The Hungarian public opinion could not know the exact background of the diplomatic negotiations, and although there were some leaks, the revision increased the German sympathy and the government had to take notice of this fact. 3. Yugoslavia and Hungary signed a friendship treaty but Hungary retained her freedom of action toward revision. Germany, seeing the success of an encircling Western political action upon the fall of the friendly Belgrade government, entered into war against Yugoslavia. Only after the gravest threats and the suicide of Premier Teleki could the Germans obtain a permission to march across Hungarian territory. Although there were living approximately half a million Hungarians in the immediate vicinity of the border, Hungary did not take any military action before Croatia declared her independence, and the disintegration of Yugoslavia began. 4. The Hungarian entry into the war was delayed by every possible means. When Germany attacked Poland, Hungary ignored Hitler’s every promise and threat, and though she was not bound to Poland by any treaty at that time, denied the Germans every assistance, and gave food, shelter, etc. to the Polish refugees by the tenthousands. (For example, there was a time when the only existing Polish high school operated in Hungary.) Approximately 100,000 Polish soldiers were given the opportunity to move across Hungary and join the Western armies. 5. The state of war with England was the result of the British declaration of war. The Hungarian declaration of war on the United States was forced by Hitler and Ribbentrop — after several unsuccessful attempts — in such a situation when a denial would have resulted in the immediate German occupation of the country. In fact, Hungarian troops never fought the Western Allies. They fought on the East, against the Russians. 6. The declaration of war on Russia is the only occasion where the Hungarian government may be found guilty. After a previous diplomatic orientation Premier Bárdossy was under the impression — 249 —
