New-York tribune., 1919-08-13
Rumania and Hungary

The note of August from the Su-
preme Council of the Allies to the Ru-
manian government is in many respects
one of the most remarkable documents
developed by the war. 1t is at once a
clear cut definition Of Ally policy and
a courageous application of this policy
under trying circumstances. 1t is cal
culated to shame those who circulate
the charge that the dominant statesmen
of the Allies are group of narrow and
selfish imperialists who cynically dsbe-
lieve in their professions
Hungary for many generations has
been an i'll neighbor to Rumania. Her
arrogant aristocracy, with the Hun
garian masses unwilling or unable to
dissent, has played the role of master.
The Rumanian peasants Of Pennsylvania
have been kept in cruel subjection.
Settlements of Hungarians and Germans
have been placed to exploit them. To
the evils Of feudalism have been added
the worst evils Of the modern economic
order. The Magyar had theory that
the Rumanian, with his cultural tradi-
tions reaching back to Roman days, when
the ancestors of the Magyars were
robbing and roaming Tartars, was of an
inferior breed, whose rights were en-
titled to no respect. So the cries Of
Rumania irredenta have been steadily
heard across the Carpathians.
When Budapest planned the war (this
capital next to Berlin was responsibility
all Hungary shouted approval. Joy
was ecstatic when the Hungarian army,
under German leadership, broke through
the mountain passes and began to
ravage the Wallachian plain. No mercy
was shown. Hungary did not then be-
lleve robbery and rapine and invasion
were wicked. The flight of the Ru-
manian refugees, the requisitions laid
on cities and countries, the food seized
and rolled, into Hungary attest Hun
garlan conceptions Of the war PRIVILEGES
OF a conqueror. One remembers the
great popular rejoicing when it was an
nounced that a great fleet of barges
loaded with the loot of Rumania was on
its way to Budapest.
A Rumanian army now holds Buda-
pest, and it is charged that not all of
It's acts are nice. There are stories.
possibly true and possibly untrue, of
outrages bearing resemblance to those
Hungary countenanced in Rumania for
two years. In the name of all the
seven virtues Hungary cries out She
allows nothing to natural spirit of re-
tailation. 1t suits Hungary to forget
what she did, and throughout the world
IN Bolshevlst and pro-German circles
there is revival of the clatter that the
Allies are obviously foul reactionarjes
Inc Magyar must not be asked to eat
any OF the dirt he gleefully crowded
down the throats of others.
And what have the Allies done? Thew
have needed the complaints of Hunparv
have adjudged that in some rexnects
they are warranted and have ordered
the humanians out of Hungary-to the
line traced by the armistce, which Rela
hun refused to abide by. To do this
the Allies have turned against valued
friend. They have offended Rumanian
susceptbilities. They have proclaimed
policy which, in the interest of pro-
tecting nation but lately a ruthless
enemy, may lead to some sort of war
against Rumania and is certain to mako
the Rumanians bitter against her allies
for long period.
Americans, we believe, will generally
approve of this policy. They believe
that idealistic principles are worth
sticking to. They would have Hungary,
despite her national crimes, entirely
free. They would have Hungary orderly