Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1944 / Verhovay Journal
VOL. XXVII. NOVEMBER 9, 1944 31 “®»72 NO. 45. THE END OF A CURSE * AMERICAN HUNGARIANS UNITE • • • There is an old saying about the “Curse of Turan,’’ referring to the nature of Hungarians which is' said to have been cursed at the time the Hungarians •left Asia so that they never could be united. They will always have to quarrel, they will always, have to fight with one another—they will always let one another down in the hour of greatest need. Hungarian history seems to verify that story. All the great> catastrophes of Hungary occurred at the time of internal strife when Hungarians could not make •up their minds to fight together against the common enemy. Many a tragedy could have been averted had the Hungarians joined their forces in the hour of emergency. In the most tragic hour of Hungary’s history, at Mohács, Hungary could have defeated the invading Turks would it not have been on different opinions as to the means of defense. At the time when Rakoczy was fighting for the liberation of Hungary about two hundred years later, Hungary would have won liberty had it been able to fight together against the oppressor, but again they were of different opinions. They split forces and lost everything. The Curse of Turan seemed to have followed Hungarians even to America. It has been understood that American Hungarians will never be of one mind—that they will never join forces. There are many groups of American Hungarians in our country. They work separately and in many instances they oppose one another according to their philosophy or political convictions. It seemed that there will never be a cause that will unite the American Hungarians. WELL, THE MIRACLE HAPPENED! AMERICAN HUNGARIANS UNITED AND DECIDED UPON JOINT ACTION. This miracle was born out of the plight of Hungary—Hungary that has been •oppressed and robbed by the Germans, bombed by necessity by the Allies and invaded, again by necessity, by the armed forces of Russia. Little one thousand year old Hungary is falling apart. Its villages and towns are in flames. The prime of its youth lies dead in the ditches along the road leading to Budapest. Again Hungary has become a battlefield, a step on the road to victory but a step which squeezes the blood out of the body of a dying nation. We came from Hungary, our parents, our brothers, sisters, and friends still live there. Only one whose heart has turned to stone eould not hear the agonized cry of that abused, misled, misgoverned nation. American citizens Of Hungarain origin heard the cry. No matter what philosophical or political convictions separated them in the past, they could not keep apart any more. The miracle happened. Angry brothers met over the deathbed of their Mother and shook hands, promising to help their Mother. * * * In the Park Central Hotel of New York City, the representatives of 19 American Hungarian organizations met on October 25, 1944. It was a peculiar and a dramatic meeting. It was peculiar because organizations were represented at this meeting which bitterly opposed the ideas and convictions propounded by the other representatives in the past. There were political organizations and also fraternal organizations represented. Representatives of the American Hungarian Democratic Council, of the I.W O., of the American Hungarian Federation and others sat side by side and in view of the great cause presented to them decided to forget all that separated them in the past. We are proud and happy to report that the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association was also represented by its Supreme President, Supreme Secretary and a Director. We are proud to report that a resolution was adopted which w'as conceived and reported by a Verhovay Director, Aloysius Falussy. The text of the resolution is as follows: At a conference of delegates representing nineteen Hungarian American organizations held October 25th, 1944, at the Park Central Hotel, New York, the following Resolutions were duly adopted: Realizing the desperate plight of the trapped and betrayed people of Hungary, all Americans of Hungarian origin are fully aware of their sacred duty to extend every possible help, aid and support to their stricken brethren who are the hapless victims of aggression and treachery. Therefore be it RESOLVED: I. That we agree in principle to the launching without delay of the American Hungarian relief on a united and nation-wide basis for the benefit of the suffering people of Hungary, without distinction as to racial origin, religious denomination or political affiliation. In connection therewith we aim to help in the economic, moral and cultural rehabilitation and stabilization of Hungary. The undertaking in its conception as well as in its execution and administration, is to be wholly and solely benevolent and humanitarian in conformity with American ideals and traditions. II. That, pursuant to existing Executive Order and the rules and regulations issued thereunder, the entire undertaking from its inception to its conclusion is to be had and done, both at home and abroad, in cooperation with or under the supervision and direction of the President's War Relief Control Board, the UNRRA and related agencies or instrumentalities having governmental approval. IH. That in furtherance of our objectives we propose to enlist the sympathetic, as well as practical support of our non- Hungarian fellow Americans, even as we have ever readily responded to appeals in behalf of other' racial groups. IV. That to avoid all possible misunderstanding and even the appearance of conflict with presently functioning agencies for war refugees in the United States, our organization will not engage in that service, that field being already fully covered. V. That many legal, technical and practical problems and issues must be met and solved in order to set the relief machinery in motion with speed and efficiency. For that purpose a Committee of nine is to be appointed to carry those resolutions into effect in the spirit manifested at this gathering: compassion, tolerance and understanding. # * * The action of the representatives of the organizations present at that important meeting means that AMERICAN HUNGARIANS HAVE FOUND ONE CENTRAL UNITED ORGANIZATION which will take over the management of the funds contributed in behalf of the starving people of Hungary. AS SOON AS THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WILL PERMIT, THESE FUNDS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HUNGARY. The Board of Directors of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association decided at its last meeting to contribute $25,000.00 for the Hungarian Emergency Relief Fund This decision was made subject to the approval of the delegates of the XX. Convention. We are happy to report that approximately 98% of the delegates approved the decision which therefore goes into effect at once. Other Hungarian fraternal organizations have also made substantial contributions. Several of our Branches have already started a movement in behalf of Hungary’s suffering people. Their contributions, with those of Branches and individuals who will follow suit will increase the Fund, the purpose of which is to assist and to support the Hungarian people throughout the time of transition until the Hungarian people, within the borders TO BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF THE ATLANTIC CHARTER, find strength and ability to carry on alone. The resolution was signed in behalf of the 19 organizations present by the following representatives: Moritz Cukor, Dr. Francis Újlaki, Rev. George Kerekes Borshy, John Bencze, Steven Varga, Joseph Vasas, Dr. George Arato, Dr. Moses Simon, Louis Weinstock, Emil Gardos, Hugo Gellert, Emery Komlos, Peter Suta, Dr. William Mark, Dr. Géza Takaró, Aurel Rasko, Alexander Lefko, C. Marcell, Coloman Revesz, Albert Smoliga, Ernest Alexander, Aloysius Falussy, Dr. Charles Vincze, Rev. Charles Pap, Msgr. Elmer Eordogh, Dr. Tibor Kerekes, Emery Király, Dr. John Gyetvay, Zoltán Gombos, Paul Nadanyi, Izsó Szekely, George Rev. After adopting the Resolution a Committee of nine has been elected to carry the resolution into effect. Members of this Committee are: JOHN BENCZE, Supreme President of the V.F.I A., who will be represented by Director Aloysius Falussy of Néw York, Joseph Vasas, Msgr. Elmer Eordogh, who named Father Chernitzky as his representative, Peter Suta, who appointed Dr. William Mark to represent him, Dr. Francis Újlaki, who will be represented by Rev. George Borshy Kerekes, Emery Lusztig, Emery Komlós and Dr. Moses Simon. Chairman of the Committee is Mr. Moritz Cukor, who is also chairman of the American Hungarian National War Bond Committee. * * * Differences of opinion do not weaken a nation or a nationality, can get together in an emergency, as long as the opposing parties Freedom to pursue various and even contradicting philosophies is the foundation of democracy. The United States is a nation consisting of people opposing one another on many counts. The differences of opinion are especially apparent now, around election time. Yet as far as the war is concerned, the people of the United States are One Nation, indivisible. There was no reason, therefore, to resent the presence of different and opposing philosophies and political schools among Americans of Hungarian origin. Americans are not a goose-stepping people. Neither are we .American citizens of Hungarian descent. And we have proven our right to follow differing lines of thought by showing that we ore also able to get together in an emergency. To be sure, the emergency, in this instance, is that of the people of Hungary. But our back-ground and heritage oblige us to consider it our own. The Verhovay has never attempted to influence the political opinions of its 52,000 members as it always respected the right of every individual to follow the voice of his own conscience. But in this case we are facing not a political issue, but one that falls right into our own realm. TO HELP STARVING PEOPLE IS EMINENTLY A FRATERNAL TASK. For this reason we believe that our membership will rejoice over the fact that in facing this issue American Hungarians were able to create a common platform and decided to work together. We also believe that our second generation membership will rejoice over the fact that one of our own second generation directors played such prominent role in the proceedings. We also believe that the second generation membership and its branches will follow his leadership and make every effort to support this movement which is intended to save, help and feed the brothers and sisters of their fathers and mothers. This emergency relief movement has nothing to do with the future territorial or political setup of Hungary. Adhering to the principles of the Atlantic Charter we do not propose to influence decisions in these matters from this country. According to the Atlantic Charter, those are matters to be decided by the citizens of Hungary. But as American citizens we have the right to extend a helping hand to the people from which we have descended. And that is as far as the Verhovay can -go. But there is much to be done in this respect, and we expect all American citizens of Hungarian origin to give of their plenty as much as possible for the alleviation of the misery and poverty of our fathers' and mothers’ nation.
