Papers and Documents relating to the Foreign Relations of Hungary, Volume 2, 1921 (Budapest, 1946)

Editor's foreword In English

EDITOR'S FOREWORD The Hungarian Ministry for Foreign Affairs published the first volume of this collection of documents in 1939, and it appeared on the market in January 1940. The work of preparing the book was carried on in 1938 and 1939. At that period Hungary was in an exceptionally difficult situation, for Hitler-Germany had already penetrated into Central Europe and the storm-clouds of the second world-war were already gathering on the horizon of Europe. In this oppressive atmosphere the question was already being asked, whether Hungary would be able to keep out of the conflict, seeing that German pressure, in the wake of the Anschluss, the occupation of Bohemia and the creation of the Slovak protectorate was, making itself felt with increasing force in the Danube Basin. It was evident that uncurbed German expansion would sooner or later lead to an explosion, and the only uncertainty was as to when, and for what immediate reason, this would occur. The position of the small countries of Central Europe appeared almost hopeless, because since Hitler had come to power the Great Powers who would primarily have been called upon to put a stop to German imperialism made one concession after another to the Reich. Indeed, in the period preceding the outbreak of the world-war the Western Powers showed such lack of energy that Germany was able to occupy the most important positions in Central Europe one after another. The further Germany progressed along this road, the nearer came the moment when unbridled German imperialism would inevitably come into such a collision with the vital interests of the Great Powers, as would evidently cause the outbreak of the second worldwar and produce a coalition of the whole world to break the power of Hitlerism allied with Fascism. In the face of such a coalition Hitlerism and Fascism had to fall. It could be seen in advance that in this struggle a primary role would fall to the Anglo-Saxon Powers,