Református ujság - Fraternity-Testvériség, 1940 (18. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1940-02-01 / 2. szám
10 REFORMÁTUS ÚJSÁG HUNGARY ANXIOUSLY WATCHING STRUGGLE OF FINNISH NATION It is only natural that the wonderfully heroic struggle of the Finns, which has won the sympathy of international public opinion, should make a deep impression on the Hungarian nation. The Magyars and Finns are kindred peoples, the descendants of one race. In prehistoric times they roamed the Asiatic steppes together and spoke one language. The feeling of kinship is still so strong that the Finnish language is taught in the Faculty of Philosophy at the Budapest University, while, vice versa, Magyar is taught in Finland; and since 1893 there have been societies in Budapest and Helinski devoted to the cultivation of fraternal relations between the two countries. Both nations love liberty and independence and for centuries fought to achieve these ideals. It was the impulse of a passionate self-sacrificing longing for liberty that raised the literature and poetry of both people to the heights of sublimity, ennobling and beutifying them. The entire Hungarian nation — Government, Parliament, old and young — has given expression to its sympathy for the Finns. On December 6th, the anniversary of Finninsh independence, great celebrations were held at the Finnish Legation in Budapest, at which the Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament, the representative of official Hungary and a number of other distinguished Hungarians were present. M. Onni Talas, Finnish Minister, thanked the Hungarian people for their sympathy. He said that nobody could forsee the outcome of the chaos threatening the whole of Europe; one thing, however, was certain: a nation that was capable of making such a superhuman effort to defend its liberty had a right to live. Ex-Minister M. Emil de Nagy, President of the Hungarian-Finnish Society, declared that the marvellous heroism displayed by the Finns was an uplifting sight amid the horrible and ignoble events taking place in the world today. He trusted that Divine Providence would not forsake that valiant people. On December 8th, the “Turul,” an association of university students, marched in procession to the Finnish Legation. In reply to their cheers the Finnish Minister said that the Finns were hopeful, for a nation so full of vitality as they were would be able to rise again even if momentarily crushed. On December 9th, first the “Hungária,” an association of students of the Budapest Technical University, and later the Emericana, a Roman Catholic youth society, staged demonstrations in front of the Finnish Legation. To them the Finnish Minister said that the spirit of the great Hungarian poet Petőfi was alive in the souls of the Finns. Similar demonstrations were also made at the Szeged, Debrecen and Pécs universities. The Hungarian Parliament, too, has expressed its deep anxiety and warm sympathy for a kindred people. After heartfelt words spoken on December 3rd by M. Zoltán Aleskó (Extreme Right) and on December 4th by M. Nicholas Mester (Government Party), M. Géza Malasics (Social Democrat) and M. Gabriel Vajna (Extreme Right), the Hungarian Prime Minister, on December 5th, said:— “A new war had broken out between our kindred, the little but brave Finnish nation and Soviet Russia. This is a separate war, not a ohase of the war between the Franco-Britisb Allies and Germany, yet it is not unconnected with the relations existing between the States of Europe. It fills us with anxiety, and when we think of the Finnish nation, with sadness.” The Bench of Bishops of the Hungarian Lutheran Church on December 14th issued a circular letter, which, inter alia, contained the following passage:— “The joy of Advent, the season of preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ, has been disturbed by the appalling events taking place in the far north. The Russian giant, ironclad from head to foot, has set forth to destroy one of the finest and bravest peoples, the little Finnish nation. With sledgehammer raised to strike, the giant is preparing to deal a blow under which churches, cultural institutions, and family altars will collapse in ruins. The Finnish nation holds the standard of the Gospel aloft and puts its trust in the mercy of God made manifest therein. The civilized nations of the world, aghast and filled with righteous indignation, watch the stage where the curtain threatens to rise on historical tragedy in which Godless Soviet Russia’s 185 million inhabitants are preparing to trample to death the Godfearing Finnish nation of 3 and a half million souls.” Hungary, it is true, is no longer a member of the League of Nations, but she follows its work with great interest and hopes that justice will triumph. (Budapest) (Danubian Review.)
