HUNGARY’S G.O.M.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 April 1929, Page 7

HUNGARY’S G.O.M.

M. DE R.AKOST DEAD. BUDAPEST, Feb. 9. M. Eugene de Rakosi, the distinguished Hungarian patriot, journalist, and playwright, died in his sleep at noon to-day from general weakness and heart failure. As a result of influenza in the autumn, M. de Rakosi, who was in his 87th year, had been seriously ill for several weeks. His condition lately was beginning to give hope of recovery. but a serious relapse occurred yesterday and for 12 hours before his death ho had not spoken. lit Eugene de Rakosi, Hungary has lost a great and familiar figure, nnd till Hungarians, irrespective of creed or party, will mourn his passing. His remains will lie in state in the Royal Hungarian Academy and will lie interred in a grave of honour in the Kerepcts Cemetery. (By Dr Nnndor Fodor). Rarely has such grief befallen the mutilated Hungarian nation as that which will lie felt at the loss of Eugene de Rakosi, the 87-years-old leader of a suffering people’s thought, and the ardent inspirer of their hopes for a belated fulfilment of their just claims. This white-haired sage of Hungary, the “Prince of Journalism,” as he was called by reason of the national influence which through many decades his pen had exercised, was the natural leader of Hungary’s national crusade against the injustice of the Treaty of Trianon. Before the war do Rakosi was an almost fanatical believer in the historic destiny of his Da.nubian nation The irony of fate forced him to witness the mutilation of his country, with the loss of .12,000,000 of her inhabitants and two-thirds of her territory.

Yet ho was but staggered by th? blow, and, subordinating all. his other activities to a great campaign of enlightenment, he became the a-postlo :>t revision aad tlm most fervent supporter of Lord Rotliermere in bis champions]) ip of the cause of Hungary in the “Daily Mail.” A FEARLESS FIGHTER. In spite of the burden of 87 years, do Rakosi up to his recent illness attended daily to his task at the Budapest newspaper “Pesti Hirlap” and wiMle leading article upon leading article of stirring appeal and irresistible logic, forging Hungarian public opinion into one body under the flag on which blazed the word, “Revision !” For the hallowed cause of bis country be broke bis pledge not to overstep the boundaries of Hungary until the Treaty of Trianon was revised, visited Lord R othermere in London, went to Italy to see Mussolini and, on his return, with unexampled courage at his age, proclaimed the necessity of a new departure in Hungarian foreign policy. He faced alike violent attacks and bitter reproaches. But he was not a man to be browbeaten. In his long public life he never asked rewards and was never cowed into submission by governmental displeasure. They could ignore him when appointing the mem hers of the new Upper House, but they could not bring him to com promise or blunt his sharp reproofs. A man of universal interests, his eager spirit manifested itself in a variety of endeavours. He espoused the cause of sick children, and headed charity drives for their summer en tertainment. He was president am. honorary chairman of countless societies working for public welfare, and besides profoundly influencing Hungarian opinion hv his classic editorials, lie was a public orator or quite exceptional force and brilliance. ENGLAND’S WELCOME. When a few months ago lie arrived in England, still vigorous in bodv, lively as ever in spirits, de llakos: answered apologists of the London pig with the simple words: “Tbo fog of London is sunshine to me. This i*the country where Louis Kossuth championed the cause of my land, and T can never he sufficiently grateful for the reception be lmd here.” Could anything lienr hotter witness to the noble spirit of the Grand Old Man of literary Hungary?