Evening star., 1939-02-02
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN,
Star Staff Correspondent

BY CONSTANTINE BKOWN,
Star STAN Correspondent.
BUDAPEST, Hungary. - In the
gloomy Royal Palace in Budapest,
surrounded by the pomp of the old
Hapsburg kings, lives a simple,
jovial couple: Regent Nicholas
Horthy and his wife. Horthy is II
years old and looks a well-pre-
served SO.
He has ruled Hungary wisely for
the last 10 years. In the early days
of his regency he received news
papermen and gave interviews; there
was no difficulty in seeing the regent.
His government has now put an
end to that, and the dictator had
to submit to this request.
Here is the reason: Horthy is a
saltwater sailor. He was the most
distinguished naval officer in the
Austro-H Hungarian Navy and prob
ably one of the ablest commanders
since the days of Admiral TeghetoH
the Austrian Nelson. Horthy has
maintained the quarterback man
her. He says exactly what he thinks
and does not mince his words. That
was all right as long as official Hun
gary did not have to worry about
sparing the German or the Italian
feelings. But now. any indiscretion
on the part of the regent might have
serious consequences for the coun-
try. And since HUthy cannot curb
his tongue it is preferable to prevent
any official interviews.
He Doesn't Dictate.
The Hungarian dictator does not
dictate. He lets the prime ministers
do what they want and supports the
opposition in the Hungarian Par
lament as much as he can to eoun-
terbalance his governments. On
rare occasions, when things appear
to be going to the dogs, he will step
in and with typical naval bluntness
he will decide. And what he says in
such cases goes. He has the coun-
try behind him-and this is not an
empty expression. If poll were
taken today at least IS per cent of
the population would vote for him
and whatever he stands for.
Horthy is probably chiefly re-
sponsible for Hitler's i'll humor
against the Hungarians. When the
admiral went to Berlin, he was re-
ceived with the usual honors. Being
a naval man he was taken to Kiel
and shown Germany's new naval
might. He APPARENTLY was not over
aWed by it and did not conceal his
impression; whether it was jealousy
on his part or whether he actually
thought that the German ships were
not what they should be nobody san
say. But the Germans did not like
it.
Hitler Hasn't Forgiven.
He saw Hitler. To him the Reichs-
fuehrer was still corporal, and he
saw no need to forget it. He adopt
ed somewhat superior tone, the
attitude of the admiral toward a
private. But even that could have
been forgiven, considering his age
and upbringing. But Hitler spoke
about German Hungarian alh-
ance and Hungarian support in the
event of a war. And when he men
toned these matters he spoke of
Germany's willingness to provide
Hungary with the most modern war
This Horthy turned
down cold. He replied that Hun
gary was prepared to play along
with Germany but drew a line at
any Warlike adventure. The prac-
tical minded sailor told the Reichs-
furher in so many words that if
Germany were defeated-and he
knew what a tickle lady war can
be-the Hitler regime would disap-
pear but not Germany. 1t was too
big and powerful a country. But
if Hungary were defeated with Ger
in the last War-Hun-
gary would cease to exist as a state.
And he, its regent, could not posi-
bly, risk such fate for his country.
Then next day Horthy returned to
Budapest. The newspapers in both
countries announced that the trip
proved once more the close collab-
Grafton and understanding between
the two countries, but Hitler never
forgave the old man.
Hitler to Take 1t Back.
Mussolini had to use all his in
huence with the F'uehrer to induce
him to give Hungary the neck of
the Czecho-Slovak goose. But it
appears that by mistake there was
a little meat left on 1.-THE towns
of Muncacz and Ungvar-and this
the Fuehrer aims now to take back.
Regent Horthy cannot suppress
his feelings either when there is
serious situation or when he plays
The day after the Muncacz incident
there was a diplomatic reception
at the royal palace. AS usual,