The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1961-12-29

Or Tuesday evening, October %, 1856, a crowd
of young men swept down the streets of Budapest
shouting: eff you are a Hungarian, join u.s."
I'M A WILD SURGE THEY stormed the police
station and then the radio station. In the days that
followed their revolt spread throughout the land and
when the statue of Stain toppled from its pedestal,
the Russians withdrew from the capital city.
For five days the people of Budapest tasted the
wine Of freedom but then at 4 o'clock on Sunday
Morning, 200, 900 of the most ruthless footsoldiers in
the Soviet army moved back in, took command of a hill
overlooking the city and began the systematic extinc-
ton of the Hungarian force which ended with 80, 600
killed or wounded, 10000 or more buried alive, and
over 5000 homes DESTROYED.
THE LAST MESSAGE from the brave army of
Hungarian Freedom Fighters came from an unknown
soldier who broadcast over the air waves to all who
listened: "Civilized people of the world, in the name
of liberty and solidarity we are asking your help. Our
ship is sinking. The light vanisheS.
''The shadows grow darker from hour to hour.
Listen to our cry. Start moving. Extend to us brother
ly hands. People of the world save us. SOS, Help,
help, help. God be with you and us" After that there
was nothing but silence.
n FREE WORLD PROTESTED but did nothing
more. And since that time all efforts to bring the
Soviets to task for this tragedy have died aborning.
Bot this year the Freedom for Hungary Commit
tee began to solicit ten million Western signatures
which will be presented to the United Nations through
Sir Leslie Munro, chairman Of the UN committee in
vestigating Hungary. Millions of Europeans and Latin
Americans have already signed the petition, and now
the drive is moving into the United States and Africa.
IN n UN, THE RUSSIANS call loudly for self
determination and champion non-intervention' The
signatures CT many millions of people will remind all
at the UN of the Soviet twofaced policy based on
hes. Readers who want to do something positive can
help confront the Communists with their crimes by
filling out the petition printed on page
This is all very meaningful this week, because once
again the last Sunday Of the year, December 81, will
be a Day of Prayer for Prosecuted People. 1t is a day to
ask God and His Mother to strengthen those who con-
tinue TO suffer i%ndignities and are not free to practice
their faith.
OUR BRETHREN in Poland, Estonia, Latvia.
Lithuania, Czechoslovakia, Rumania, Bulgaria, East
Germany, lndonesia, Indochina, Tibet, Korea, Albania,
Laos, Congo and Cuba need our support and prayers.
Let's not fail them.
Between the border of Austria and Hungary there
was a footbridge at Andau which enabled $1,000
Hungarlans to cross to freedom after their revolt was
suppressed. The Russians dynamited that bridge, but
some Austrian students dragged logs across the canal
and helped 200 more to escape. However, one cold
night the Communists chopped it up for firewood.
With Gods grace and our sacrifices Communism
can be defeated. Your prayers Sunday and participation
In such projects as the Hungarian petition, will bring
hope to those behind the Iron and Bamboo curtains.
Your hand joined to others might form a bridge
q bridge TO replace the fallen ones at the Andau's all
over the world. -GAF.