Evening star., 1942-02-15
Hungary Reported
Promising Germany
100000 Troops
Demand for 100000
Refused Under Influence
Of Anti-HitIer Feeling
By BLAIR BOLLES.

BY BLAIR BOLLES.
In a move that may have its
effect on the Russian war, Hungary
has agreed to send 200. 900 troops to
fight for the Nazis, advices reach
ing well-informed and reliable per-
sons in Washington revealed yester-
day.
The Hungarian action, however,
was less than a complete diplomatic
triumph for the Germans, who de-
manded 100000 soldiers and offered
nothing in return except vague as
surances of prominence for Hungary
In the Nazi new world order.
The Hungarian government, in
fuenced by anti-German public
opinion, refused outright the
original German request for further
military assistance. Hungary, sigma
tory to the Axis pact, has had a
with the Nazis, fewer than 100000
men.
The United States has severed
relations with Hungary but has not
declared war on that country.
Goering Gets Credit.
Reichsmarshal Herman Goering
went to Budapest last week to
change the Hungarian government
mind after Foreign Minister Rib
bentrop of Germany, Foreign
Minister Ciano of Italy and Field
Marshal Gen. Wilhelm Won Keitel,
chief of the German high COM
mand, had been unable to do so.
They all previously visited HungfAA
Won Keitel leaving the eastern front
for the Budapest conversations.
Credit goes to Goering for the final
agreement to put 100000 men at
German disposal after the long
pickering negotiations.
British sources here say the Hun
garian hesitation to pledge full CO.
operation with Germany is sympto-
matte of widespread German diff
culties in dealing with all Danubian
countries that supposedly are free
Rumania and Bulgaria as well as
Hungary.
This state of affairs in southeast
ern Europe bodies i'll for German at
tempts to swing Turkey from its po-
sition of cautious neutrality and to
use that country in Axis plans for
overthrowing English domination of
the Middle East.
No Practical Gains Seen,
The Balkan reluctance to support
Germany completely is viewed not
as evidence of Balkan fear Ger
many is slipping but as sign the
small countries are not convinced
there is anything practical for them
in Nazi victory.
News has come here through dip
lomatic channels that the Hungar-
ian parliament last Thursday passed
bill displeasing to, the Nazis in
Germany and Hungary, which pro-
vides for the appointment of a vice
regent, Stefan Horthy, son of Regent
Admiral Nicolas Horthy.
The pro-Nazi element in the Par
lament voted against the bill, which
was opposed by the government of
Premier Bardcssy. Admiral Horthy,
who never has favored a tight Ger
man tie for Hungary. is seriously i'll.
His son, who is director of the ma
tional railways, has views about
Germany similar to his fathers.
British sources here report that
Germany seeks to draw on Hun
garlan military strength in order to
release as many as possible of her
own troops in Russia for service
elsewhere, most probably the Middle
East. Washington looks for Wig
orous German-Japanese attempt to
effect union of the Axis troops
now heading east in Libya and west
in distant Burma.
Wants TO Conserve Strength.
The most outspoken supporter OF
the recent German demands was
Tasnadv Macy, president of the
Hungarian Chamber, who visited
Berlin as a guest of the German
state. He is reported as having
said that he would be very happy
to have Hungary fight side e-by-side
IN complete alliance with Germany.
Other members of the Hungarian
government oppose putting Hungary
in a position where it would be re-
duced to Rumanias level of exhaus-
ton. She is represented by British
intelligence as preferring to save
her strength to enable her to domi-
nate her weak neighbors after the
war.
Berlin's desire for more Hungarian
troops was Whetted in the first place
by growing Rumanian distaste for
the war in Russia, where, in Crimea
and in the Ukraine across the Dnies-
ter, the Rumanians have been suf-
fering great losses from the Russian
counterattack
The German attempt to induce
Bulgaria to take up the burden
which Rumania would like to be rid
of has been a failure. it is reported
here King Boris is said to have
turned down the German invitation
to Bulgaria to become an active
Axis ally. The King is said to have
received intimations that to put
Bulgaria into the war will cost him
his throne, by a revolt if not revo-