Papers and Documents relating to the Foreign Relations of Hungary, Volume 1, 1919–1920 (Budapest, 1939)

Appendix III. Parliamentary debates

951 only indiscretions resulted, thus making the further course of negotiations not only injurious and troublesome to both parties, but impossible. This is an entirely natural consequence and therefore I say that the post of Foreign Minister requires more than the usual amount of confidence. This is why I ask that you will consider my request from every angle because it is hardly possible from this place to give more in the way of a promise than the assurance that one has a full realization of tremendous responsibility and that one is Hungarian. More can hardly be promised. (Commotion.) Also involved in this necessity is the fact that, under the weight of responsibility, the burden of one's decisions bear more heavily than if one could bring one's problems here instantly and openly. But this very responsibility compels us to handle our duties with greater care and I can promise you here that this will be my aim. I shall always inform the House in the manner customary elsewhere by the person in charge of foreign policy (Approval.) I myself asked — not knowing at the time of my return that one was already in existence — for the immediate setting up of a foreign affairs committee in order that Parliament might have an organ through which to deal constantly and in a proper way with these questions. I have since been advised that this request of mine has become unnecessary ... I should also like to point to the importance, in our foreign orientation, of our being respected as allies and as such regarded as reliable, honourable and good. Permit me, in connection with this, to refer to the third group of powers which I have not yet mentioned. This is the group of our former allies. I wish to remark that attacks such as were voiced here by Deputy Paul Sándor, in his recent speech against Germany who was a true ally of ours (Approval) even if we did have some differences during the period of our alliance — if we glance at the history of the World War, we will see that every state had differences with its allies — yet we nevertheless fought bravely and faithfully side by side for long years, I say that I do not believe that such remarks would attract the other side either (Approval) because I do not think anyone would desire an alliance with Hungary if they thought Hungary would no longer be as true an ally as she has been heretofore. (Approval.) It is impossible to gain friends in that manner. He would perhaps reply to me (unfortunately the Hon. Member is not present) but I believe he would answer in his own