Evening star., 1937-08-08
Horthy- y-Uncrowned King


shipper OF discipline, to put an end to
what they called the era of anarchy.
| Fitted to Role.
| Horthy appeared the ideal man for
this part, and on a rainy November
day he led his small army into Buda-
pest. Those were the days OF the Hun
garian White Terror, when Socialists
Liberals, Republicans. Communists
Jews, Freemasons and just plain Dem,
ocrats were the objects of violent
hatred. This was an anticipation OF
Hitler's purges more than a decade
later, and even today is there no accu-
rate account Of the lives lost Horthy
was criticized by liberals Of foreign
countries for his statement to an Eng
lish commission investigating the deeds
Of the head Of terror detachment
He is one of my best officers"
AS commander in chief of the Hun
garian armed forces, small but grow
ing, he was a man with real power in
distraught Budapest. All the parties
Of the Right agreed with more or less
unanimity that he was to be the man
OF the future The once OF regent gov.
tained her name as kingdom
Horthy was elected on March l, 1920
He accepted the call on condition that
he would serve merely as the substi-
tute Of the lawful King, who was pre-
vented from returning.
Ex-King Karl, in a Swiss retreat
was awaiting the call of the ex-com-
mander in chief of his fleet. A quiet
little man, in spite of his awesome
title. he was in no hurry. But his wife
ex-Empress and Queen Zita, had less
patience. When Horthys call failed to
materialize, they decided to take mat
ters into their own hands.
Fateful Meeting Occurs.
1t was on an April evening in 1921
that Karl appeared in the royal palace
Of Budapest to claim his throne. He
thanked the regent for his faithful
service and announced his decision tc
carry on. II Horthy had lost his pres
ence OF mind for just moment Haps-
burgs destiny might have changed
Or II Karl could have been a little
firmer he would have resisted the re
quest OF his regent to leave the place
Six months later Karl made another
attempt TO regain his throne, and this
time Zita went with him. Again they
miscalculated their strength, and when
the royal couple reached the outskirts
OF Budapest and were within sight OF
the palace on top of Fortress Hill
Horthy's soldiers were ready to shoot
1t was from the Hapsburgs that
Horthy had learned the conception of
service" and "order"-and now he
turned his knowledge against his for
mer masters. The King and Queen
were prisoners. on their way to the
Island Of Madeira-a beautiful tour
lst center in the Atlantic Ocean to
visitors from overseas but an arid St
Helena TO the pathetic would-be Ma.
poleon. A few months later Karl died
haunted by nightmare of fiasco.
IroncIad Alibi.
Karls followers We're indignant al
the regent, but ne pleaded inescapable
necessity. What other way was oper
for him? Neighboring nations would
not have tolerated a Hapsburg coup
under any conditions Their armies
would have marched upon the capita
to oust the King, and before long the
whole country would have beer
plunged into another war.
Regent Horthy is none the less i'm
portant for stunning publicity He re-
ceives ENJOYS, sees distinguished visi-
tors. opens fairs. reviews troops, gives
garden parties, goes to the opera, con-
cert and theater. But he does not try
to initiate the heads of democratic
states, part of whose job it is to kiss
babies and shake hands. He is seldom
seen in the midst Of peasants and
laborers. probably because he is really
too aloof. His wife has a reputation
for wit and friendliness; she is still
fascinating.
Today Hungary is what she i.
largely because OF Horthy. Whethe,
he gives the country the kind o
leadership 1t needs is still a matter oi
discussion. His heart is still in the
past, and he associates greatness with
military efficiency. He looks upon de-
mocracy and social progress as alier
to the Magyar spirit. 1t is very seldom
tnat he speaks in public. and such
appearances can form no basis for ar
estimate Of his work. But his acts are
conclusive, and they reveal the man
Admires Hitler's Audacity.
Hitler appeals to him because o1
what ne considers his courage anc
single-minded purpose. Horthy still
believes that Germany, Austria anc
Hungary are bound together by th<
affinity OF common destiny. At the
same time he seems to realize tha,
Nazi-ism has certain aspects that dt
not accord we'll with Hungarian ma.
ture. He has not Hitler's anti-Semiti,
obsessions and places no trust in tht
tenets Of racial exclusiveness.
Horthy Is not the fanatic that Hit
Ter is, and arguments are not wastet
on him. While he considers force ar
inevitable corollary of the diplomac,
OF our days, he has not made cult d
it like his German neighbor.
Some years ago Horthy was no
averse to rattling his saber, very much
to the annoyance OF Hungary's neigh.
bors. Recently, however, he has re.
Trained from irritating statements. H,
realizes that Hungary is not stron,
enough to 60 to war for her lost terri.
tories. But he also believes that des.
tiny cannot be stayed II he has an,
plan in mind for solving the tragi,
Danubian problem he has not yet re,
vealed it, directly or indirectly Un
der his guidance Hungary has bee,
content with playing a subordinat,
part in the concert OF disgruntled ma
tions, leadership Of which is divided
between Germany and Italy.
Prime Minister Liberal,
The present prime minister of Hun
gary, Kalman Daranvi. is a man n