New-York tribune., 1918-12-13
Austrian Troops
Cross Line and
Loot in Hungary
Magyar Statesmen Complain
of Attitude of Entente and
Maintain Ocean Outlet for
Commerce Is Essential
NetU York Tribune
Special Gable Serpice


BUDAPEST, Dec. 12--In addition to
the Czecho- -Slovaks, Serbs and Ru
manians who have occupied large tracts
OF Hungarian territory and continue
their advance, German-Austrian troops
have crossed the frontier and are
plunderng
Two of the main railway lines link
ing Vienna and Budapest are occupied
by the Czechs and there is a possibility
OF the sole remaining line being cut
Hungary's plight is in sense more
tragic than that of Austria. Unless
the peace conference intervencs in its
favor it looks as if in territory Hun
gary would be reduced to the Budapest
plain.
Enemy Shows Humiliation
For the first time since | left Switz-
erland, find among the enemy popula-
tion profound sense of humiliation
over the catastrophe end of the war
In Germany and Austria, the desire for
peace and food was the predomnating
sentiment, whereas among the Magyars.
notwithstanding the outward display
of unchecked gayety prevailing in Bu-
dapest, there is bitterness of soul and
remorse.
The departure of the Hapsburgs left
the Magyars cold and unmoved, and the
sense of personal friendliness for the
ex-imperial couple, which all classes
IN Vienna still entertain, was entirely
absent. The semi official "Pester
Lloyd" estimates that the overthrow
of the monarchy would save Hungary
ten million dollars yearly. The public
hopes Count Karolyi will be the first
President.
Hungarian irritation at the unrcadi-
ness OF the Entente powers to forget
the past and adopt friendly attitude
toward the new republic becomes less
difficult of comprehension as one in
vest1gates the situation here.
New Government Democratic
The new movement undoubtedly is
democratic and the sincerest and best
men of all parties and classes are com
blnlng in an effort to undo the damage
done to Hungary at home and abroad
by Count Tisza and his associates.
The Hungarian election campaign is
IN full swing here, and the Karolyi
party IS making a great effort to obtain
control Of the new national parliament
1t is the contention of the leaders that
f1uenced by the election result, and
that an overwhelming majority for
Count Karolyi, the courageous oppo-
nent Of Tisza's German policy, will
convince the Entente of Hungary's sim
cere determination to tread new paths.
The possibility that the peace con-
ference may decide to lop off large
slices of their country causes profound
dlsmay among all sections Of the pop
vania haunts the Magyars Deputa-
tions Of picturesquely clad peasants
from Pennsylvania appear almost daily
at the PreInier's house affirming their
loyalty and protesting against separa-
tion from Hungary.
Complain of Entente's Attitude
1t is curious to hear prominent Mag
var statesmen complain of the reserved d
attitude which the Entente still OBJ
serves toward New Hungary. Their
comfortable theory is that the Allies
should promptly forget all about the
responsibility Of Count Tisza and the
Hungarian Parliament for the war, and,
overlooking all our obligations toward
the Czechs,. readily accept the Magyar
point of view on the highly difficult
question of frontier territorial read
just1nents.
The courteous Minister of Finance,
Dr. Paul Szemere, seemed surprised to-
day at being asked whether Hungary
would be willing to contribute her
share Of the compensation due to Ser
bia. The idea of such compensation. of
which we will force payment, apparent
" never had occurred to him. 4 SINH
lar lack OF appreciation Of the real
facts in the situation is noticeable in
ofhclal circles and among the general
public
Karolyi Master of Hungary
The dominant personality and master
of Hungary is still Count Karolyi, who.
as Tar as the Entente is concerned. has
the advantage over most of Hungary's
leading statesmen in that throughout
the war he was persistently an out
spoken enemy Of Germany. He said to-
day:
u maintain it is in the general in
terest cf the nationalities thems selves
that Hungarian unity should remain
unilnpaired- Exception max be made Of
the Cxoats, who will natul lally join the
Jugo-Slavs. l am convinced that on
economic grounds the various nation
alltleS must continue within the frame
work OF historic Hungary.
Il agree they should have their word
in any decision regarding their future
but protest most formally against The
present occupation Of Hungarian terri
tory By Cz&chs, Rumanianx and Serh.