Evening star., 1939-05-21
Hungary Playing
Role Of Dog Fido
In Reich Policies
Mogyors Are Utilized as
Potential Threat to
Foes of Nuzi Tactics
Nv WALTER DURANTY.

BUDAPEST, May 20 tN.AN.A).-
Hungary now seems cast for the not
very sumptuous role of Germany's
good dog Fido. To growl if need be
at Rumania, and, with Poland,
Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, to wag
its tail or show its teeth, as Fido's
master orders. And to be rewarded
with a bone, like the Carpatho-
Ukraine yesterday and perhaps Slo-
vakia tomorrow.
1t is a somewhat CALLING position
for one of the proudeSt peoples in
Europe, but the Hungarians have no
choice.
AS the world knows, Hungary'S
"lost provinces" went to Rumania
and Yugoslavia. Hungary is not
strong enough to attack the former
If it wanted to or was allowed to.
Regarding Rumania, there are
heavy German, French, British and
italian plans in that country with
which the Hungarians must reckon.
Hungary Splitting Estates.
Secondly, Rumania, like parts Of
Czecho-Slovakia which Hungary
has received, has enacted agrarian
reform laws to break up the big
estates and give the land to the
peasants Which Hungary refused
to do, owing to the influence of the
land-owning magnateS. The result
is that the new territory acquired
from Czetho-S -Slovakia has already
caused trouble in Hungary and a
sharp renewal of peasant agitation
for land reform. This agitation
would be greatly increased if any
part of Transylvania were taken
from Rumania.
Finally, Hungary cannot move a
finger without German permission,
and, as said, is being used by Ger
many as potential threat to Ru-
mania or Hungarys other neighbors
if they kick against the German
tactics.
Like the other Danubian states,
Hungary is tied fast by German eco
non1ic bonds. In addition, there is a
marked growth of strength in num-
bers of the Hungarian Nazi elements,
accompanied by growth of anti
tSemitism, which seems rather to
have diminished elsewhere in South
eastern Europe.
Nazi Increase Expected.
Hungary will hold an election on
May q and 20, and it is expected
that the number of Nazi Deputies
Will rise from seven to upward OF
so. The Nazi leader, Ferenc Szalasy,
is still under nominal Imprisonment,
but his spokesman, Deputy Koloman
Hubay. is fighting a vigorous cam
paign on his behalf.
Premier Teleki, Foreign Minister
Count Csaky and Minister of the In
terror Kerezstes-FiScher are trying
to resist the NaZi tide, and the two
latter recently voiced strong ap-
proval of the severe sentences passed
on the NaZi terroristS who threw
bombs into a Jewish crowd outside
a synagogue on February 8. But the
Nazis have powerful support inside
and outside of Hungary.
The minister of commerce and
industry, Kunder, is playing the
German game to the utmost; the
army is dissatisfied with the course
of policy of Count Csaky; the land
owning magnates are in whole
hearted opposition to the govern
ment's program of land reform.
1t is highly significant that there
has Just been launched a savage
press campaign against the labor
unions, alleging misuse of funds,
and 1t is even suggested that the
Socialist party may be suppressed
before the election. Last but not
least, there is the mysterious game
being played by Ex-Premier I'M
redy, who. despite Jewish grand
mother, is still the most powerful
figure in the country and has ap-
parently decided that the closest
cooperation with Germany is Hun
gary's wisest policy,
Laws Depend on Application.
The recent anti-Semitic law. un-
like the former law, which was only
pretense, has real teeth in it and
is further strong instrument in
Nszl hands. Its avoWed purpose is
to limit the percentage of Jews in
any business, profession, bank, in
ousrial or commercial enterprise
All such laws depend on how they
are applied, rather than on their
strict letter, and this one is being
applied with such vigor that the
Legitimate" Jewish percentage is
now, with few exceptions. made
up of subordinates.
In country like Hungary. where
there are tens of thousands of greedy
young sons of government function
aries who formerly administered the
large Hungarian kingdom. the ex-
puislon Of the Jews. who plaved q
prominent part in Hungarian
nnance, business and industry, Of
1ers welcome and profitable op-
portunlty and wins ready adherents
to the Nazi cause,
IL Is unlikely that Germany Is
planning to take over" Hungary or
even as suggested in some quarters,
10 cement its economic ties by a
customs union. Neither step seems
necessary. Despite dwindling opposi-
tlon and spasmodic attempts to As
sert It's own independence. Hunparv's
allegiance to the axis and its en-
pioyment as the axis dog Fido may
almost be taken for granted.