Verhovayak Lapja, 1943. július-december (26. évfolyam, 26-53. szám)

1943-07-08 / 27. szám

VOL. XXVI.

JULY 8, 1943

NO. 27

The Beloved "Eiiciny“

i ■

Several years ago on the Fourth of July — with tears in my eyes and pride in my heart — I was standing in front of the George Washington Statue, towering proudly in the heart of the Hungarian Capital, Budapest, among the lovely trees and flowering bushes of the beautiful City Park.

American and Hungarian flags were displayed all around; the foot of the statue was covered with wreaths; English and Hungarian speeches were delivered and we sang the American anthem: "Oh, say can you see...” and we sang the Hungarian anthem: “Isten áldd meg a magyart...” The officials of the city, the American representatives and we, American tourists and American visitors of Hungarian descent, celebrated the Day of American Liberty in Budapest, with full hearts and sincere feelings, because if there exists a nation in this great, big world, which loves and cherishes liberty as much as the American people, it is certainly the Hungarian. The only difference between the two liberty-loving peoples is this: America’s aim is to keep her liberty, while Hungary is struggling and sacrificing endlessly to »equire Liberty.

On the Fourth of July 1943, there will be no flags displayed around the George Washington statue, standing just as proudly in the heart of the Hungarian Capital. There will be no wreaths at the foot of the statue arid people will not sing: “Oh, say can you see...” Because for the Hungarians this year the statue of George Washington represents the people of an “enemy” ... an official “enemy” ... a beloved “enemy” ...

But, I am very certain, that on this day an unusually large number of people wiíl walk by and look up at the Washington statue with secret hope in their hearts ... I am also certain that many people will drop a few flowers in front of the statue... not grand wreaths, probably just little bunches of cornflowers or poppies ... And I wouldn’t be surprised to learn, that the passers-by wore a tiny American Flag — pinned to the inner side of their coatlapels ...

The people of Budapest are going to celebrate the American Day of Liberty in 1943 also. Not ostentatiously, with speeches and wreaths, but deep down, in their hearts.

For the Hungarians understand... They do not picture America as a giant fighting only for her own interests: for territory, for gain or exclusive victory. They know, that America is the giant fighting for Liberty. Yes, to keep her own liberty and to grant Liberty to every nation worthy of it. And no other nation wants Liberty more than Hungary. For no other nation has sacrificed so much and suffered so long for Liberty than Hungary.

Every country, enslaved by Germany, has her own underground movement to fight the oppressor. We do not hear much about the Hungarian underground movement, but we certainly know that Hungary is fighting the oppressor courageously — above ihe ground.

Hungary is the only country suffering under the German military heel, whose people dared to talk openly against Nazism in the House of Representatives . . . whose people dared to praise America — the “enemy” — openly, also in the House of Representatives,

A few weeks ago thousands of Hungarians visited the grave of the late Hungarian Premier, Count Teleky, who expressed his objection to the German ideology by committing suicide. On the enniversary of Count Teleky’s death, the people openly displayed their defiance by decorating the grave of a man, who died a martyr’s death for Hungarian Liberty.

Time and again the Nazis execute Hungarian officers for their Open refusals to take Hungarian troops to the Russian front to fight for Hitler.

And Hungary is a small nation, an unprotected, isolated nation, which suffered the most throughout — and after — the last world V/ar. Her courage is certainly greater than her power. But one can understand it: courage is not based on the strength of armament; ammunition, tanks, guns and airplanes. It is based and nourished ©n the strength of the soul, on the extent of the love they have in their hearts for Liberty, for the Liberty they do not possess, for tne Liberty they have struggled and died for throughout their bistory.

On the fourth of July 1943 we, Americans of Hungarian descent «hall pray with grateful hearts. We shall pray to God to keep intact our blessed, precious American Liberty, we shall pray to God to grant Liberty through America to every nation on earth, we «halt pray to God to grant Liberty through America to the Hungarian people, who suffer for it, yearn for it, and love it the most.

A Lesson in Fire Prevention

Fire prevention experts have long claimed that the great majority of fires which destroy hundreds of millions of dollars worth of property and thousands of lives every year, are preventable. To substantiate their claim they have only to point to the almost complete absence of destructive fire in our military establishments. In the first World War and in the present one, too, government construction projects were pursued in accordance with sound fire prevention principles.

As the National Board of Fire Underwriters observes: “That a building program of such loading plants, warehousing establishments and a host of others, could be completed and the establishments placed in service and operated as they have been up to the present without any fires of more than moderate extent, seems incredible. But that is the record to date.

“Fire prevention engineers have always contended that if cities could be planned and made to include the fundamental features of fire prevention and protection, much greater security against fire would result.’’

Some might minimize the work of the prevention experts in government military construction on the theory that the government can afford safety “luxuries” wihere others couldn’t. But that is the least valid of criticisms. Most emergency construction has been of wood. Potential fire hazards have been great. Anyone who has ever visited an army camp can testify to that. Fire losses have been kept low in these projects because safety measures that were scientific rather than costly, were followed.

United States Girl Scouts

The girl scouts of the United States,

Are all branched together like a tree;

With eager hearts they’re always willing To help out in the call of their country.

She’ll collect kitchen fats, books and scraps, She’ll help out in any way she can,

To aid in the tough job of licking the Japs; She’ll do her share to back up a fighting man.

To ycu, girl scouts, each and everyone, — With hearts so loyal and true,

Not resting till your work is done.

We citizens salute you.

EMMA JENE EVANS, Age 13,

Pricedale, Penna.

The Öld Sycamore

The old sycamore in the meadow Is lonely as never before; for the barefooted boys have climbed it.

Have grown up and gone off to war.

Though ocean and land separate them

From their home and their dearly loved tree;

In their hearts they have treasured a memory Of how happy they once used to be.

How they long for the place they used to call home,

And the days that were careless and free;

When they laughed and they played among green boughs Of the faithful old Sycamore Tree.

Now they’re fighting and they’re praying,

So the world will come to rest;

And return again to home sweet home,

And the tree that they love best.

Miss EDYTHE ANNE OROSZ, Age 17,

324 W. Eagle Street, Painesville, Ohio

Regulation with Justice

The fact that we have the outstanding civilian air transport lines of the world which overnight were largely diverted to war work for the armed forces, under civilian management, was of incalculable value to our government in its greatest crisis.

With the importance of aviation catapulted to the forefront by war, Congress now has before it a bill to modernize our legislation affecting civil aeronautics. Of fundamental importance is the provision for uniform

regulation of air navigation and commerce throughout the nation under Federal jurisdiction.

With commercial airlines actually covering thousands of miles and many states in the space of hours, a system of uniform over-all Federal regulation is indispensable in the interest of public safety and service.

Certainly these problems can and will be met in necessary legislation providing for the expansion of airports and Federal regulation of civil aeronautics.