Hungarian Studies Newsletter, 1977 (5. évfolyam, 13-15. szám)

1977 / 14. szám

ARTICLES and PAPERS

Garbiel, Astrik L. “The Academic Career of Blasius de Varda, Hungarian Humanist at the University of Paris,” Manuscripta 20 (1976) 218-243.

The article, based on extensive archival research, provides insight into Hungarian relations with learned institutions of western Europe and especially with the Sorbonne, by following the life of Blasius during his approximately eight years stay in Paris. Blasius’ name appears for the first time in the “fourth” Register of the receptors of the English-German Nation of the university, when he became Bachelor of Theology and was elected receptor in 1514. In addition to being a leading member of the Nation, he functioned also as a literary agent among such important theologians as Bonifacius de Ceva, Judocus Clichtoveus, Hieronymus ab Hangesto, and the Hungarian bishop, Johannes Gosztonyi de Szeleste. Blasius himself authored several books among which Viatice excursiones treats the principle vices such as “ingratitude, pride, anger, envy, hatred, detraction, perjury, avarice, gluttony, sloth, laziness, neglect of public cause, falsehood, and sadness.” Upon his return to Hungary he became secretary to Paul de Varda, Archbishop of Esztergom, Primate of Hungary, and Chancellor of the

DISSERTATIONS (Continued)

the party tried to depose Varkonyi, the leagues rallied to his side. In 1897 the leagues loyal to Varkonyi founded the Independent Socialist Party, whose program called for the compulsory leasing out of land to the peasants. The rapid expansion of the movement and severe labor unrests prompted the government into suppressing the Foldmivelo and arresting VaVkonyi. By 1899 the socialist movement in the countryside had become moribund. The peasantry’s hope for land reform and wider civil liberties could not be realized at that time without sustained backing from an influential segment of the society.

Rogainis, Janis (Indiana U., 1976) “Friedrich Ferdinand von Beust: The Interaction ot Domestic and Foreign Policy during His Tenure As Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister, 1866-1871,” 321 pages. Microfilm and xerox order no. 77- 1993.

Beust was Austro-Hungarian foreign minister and principal advisor to Emperor Francis Joseph from October 30,1866 to November 8,1871. Austrian diplomacy during his tenure has been characterized as directed toward revenging the military defeat by Prussia in 1866 and, in alliance with France, reversing Austria’s exclusion from Germany as stipulated by the Treaty of Prague. This study examines the limiting effect of internal problems on the execution of foreign policy from 1848 to 1866, the diplomatic background of Beust, his ideas and involvement in Austrian internal reform, the formation and evolution of his foreign policy.

The months from November 1866 to June 1867 were crucial in the formation of Austria’s domestic and foreign policy. Beust hoped that by establishing constitutional government in Hungary and by preserving the dominace of the Germans in Austria, the South German states would realize that their interests were promoted by closer ties with a reformed and revived Austria-Hungary than by incorporation into the North German Confederation dominated by Prussia. The status quo policy placed the monarchy, in Beust’s view, in

kingdom. In 1527 he was archdeacon of Locsmand and canon of Gyor.

The author is Prof. Emeritus of Notre Dame U., and can be reached at P.O. Box 518, Notre Dame U. IN 46556.

Hitchkins, Keith, “Rumanian Socialists and the Nationality Problem in Hungary, 1903-1918,” Slavic Review (March 1976) 69-90.

The Romanian socialists were initially organized by the Social Democratic Party of Hungary (MSZDP), which saw the need for recruiting among the non-Magyar nationalities in Hungary. Their ideology was "a simplified form of Marxism liberally sprinkled with the ideas of Ferdinand Lassalle.” Their attempt to involve the rural proletariat was not successful. Like their parent group, the MSZDP, they did not endorse violence and worked within the parliamentary system. They were also caught in the nationality problem between Romania and Hungary. They tried to expand their contacts with the Social Democratic Party of Romania, which encouraged a break with the MSZDP. Attempts to establish relations with the Romanian National Party and the Orthodox and Uniate Churches were also frustrated, mainly because of

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opposition to the interests of Russia in the Balkans and Prussia in Germany. France was, therefore, the only effective continental power which could support Austria’s foreign policy goals. Mainly because of Beust’s efforts, South German particularism was well established again by 1870. However, the monarchy’s diplomatic position suffered an unreparable blow as a consequence of the Franco-Prussian war and the subsequent unification of Germany. With France defeated and Germany unified, Beust had little choice but to reverse the policy he had pursued since 1866, and reestablish friendly relations with Prussia and Russia. This change in policy contributed to his resignation in 1871.

Schottes, Waldemar (U. of Waterloo, 1976) “Ethnic Groups As Portrayed in Modern Transylvanian Saxon Novels.”

The groups examined are the Jews, Gypsies, Hungarians, Romanians, and the Saxons. The choice of novels is intended to be representative of Saxon novel writing, and attempts are made to indicate the divergence in most recent Saxon literature. Three novels of the interwar period and three post World War II works are discussed. These are Adolf Meschendörfer, DIE STADT IM OSTEN; Erwin Wittstock, BRUDER NIMM DIE BRÜDER MIT, Heinrich Zillich, ZWISCHEN GRENZEN UND ZEITEN; and Paul Schuster, 5 LITER ZUIKA; E. Wittstock, DAS JÜNGSTE GERICHT IN ALTBIRK; Andreas Birkner, DIE TATARENPREDIGT.

The Saxons historically have seen themselves as mediators between ethnic groups. In addition, they believed that each ethnic group had a right to maintain its own identity in a multi-ethnic state; hence, one of their ideals was an enlightened form of ethnic coexistence. The images of ethnic groups have been changing. The Jew has a more favorable image developed in the post-war era. The Hungarians and Romanians are portrayed primarily in terms of the conflict between them and the Saxons. When Hungarian encroachments of the rights of other groups are noted, the criticism does notdistort the Saxon relationship to the group. When Romanian abuses of power are dealt with, Saxon criticism in the novels is unrelenting. As to the Gypsies, attempts are being made to de-mythicize them.

NO. 14, 1977 HUNGARIAN STUDIES NEWSLETTER

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