CARDINAL AS THE PAWN IN HUNGARIAN MOVES

Chronicle (Levin), 10 February 1949, Page 5

CARDINAL AS THE PAWN IN HUNGARIAN MOVES

"s, Reecived Wednesday, 7 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 9. The Hungariau. Govemment has announced that it. is now prepared to negoliate a sot tlemeut with the Roman C'athoru' Clnirch on eonditions that- the cliureh recognised the Republic, agreed to refrain from political aetivity jand, took part in the nioral and physieal.re-i-onst ruction of the eountry which means in practiee that it accepts land ret'orin and uationalisation of induStry and schools, says The Times' Budapesteorrespondent. In return the Govem-. nient will be prepared to gnarantee the freedom of religious worship, compuisorv religious education in schools aua the payinent of salaries of priests and bishops.

The Daily Express Eoine eorrespondent says Vatican officials, commenting1 on these eonditions, said: "To reaeh ngreenient we must be eonvinced the ollier side inteiuls to keep faith and this is certainly not the ease. The verdict against Cardinal Mindszenty proves exactly the contrary." They said the Hungarian Govern-; rnent was not prepared to aecept a free cliureh in a free State. "It intends to l'orce priests to beeome the obedient tools of their propaganda. " The Hungarian Government wishes to mahe a paet with the Vatican and hopes to use Cardinal Mindszenty as n bargaining eounter, says the Daily Express eorrespondent, Peter Burehett, writing from Budapest. Hungary wants Vatican approval for the nationalisation of schools which is opposed by the Republie \s Roman Catholies. Mr. Burchetft says that Father Vincenzo Tomek, Hungarian head of the Roman Catholic Order, is now in Rome and is expected to approaeh the Vatican on behalf of the Hungarian Government. The Supreiue People 's Court in Budapest is unlikely to hear the Cardinal 's appeal until negotiations at the Vatican are completed.