The Daily News. SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1919. THE HUNGARIAN CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1919. THE HUNGARIAN CRISIS.

According to a recent cable message from Paris, the proclamation of a Soviet Republic in Hungary will create a precarious situation in Roumania and the new Czechoslovak State, inasmuch as the Soviet's manifesto .appeals to the peasants of these nationalities to join the revolution "which intends to free them from the yoke of the capitalist, and to prevent the Entente handing Hungary over to the Roumanian Oligarchy." It is apparent that the manifestly Bolshevik Government in Hungary is playing a very dangerous game with the object of endeavoring to bluff the Allies. .Color is lent to this theory by the message from Rome which states that Count Karolyi recently reviewed the Hungarian army of 150,000 men on a perfect war footing, and it is stated to be no idle boast that the new Government can mobilise at least 70,000 ex-prisoners—Aus-trians returned from Russia, all tainted with Bolshevik ideas. The scheme to Bolshevise Roumania and Jugo-Slavia appears to have emanated from the treacherous Karolyi, who is said to have been engaged for months past in negotiating with the Russian Bolsheviki to that end. Karolyi assumed office about the time of the armistice as the head of a Socialistic Government in that part of Hungary left to the Magyars by the dissolution of the dual monarchy.

That this portion was not large may be gathered from the fact that the Roumanians seized Transylvania, the Czechs and Slovaks occupied Slovakia, and the southern Slavs advanced into the districts which they claimed, so that it was a greatly reduced district which Karolyi administered, and even then the Allies occupied the strategic points. The position would seem to be that Karolyi, recognising the greatness of the loss cf territory, and realising that it could not be regained by force, hit on utilising the Bolsheviks as a means for regaining what had been lost. It was an astute move in one way, but one that may recoil on the head of the schemer. An upheaval in Hungary was in process long before the armistice was signed. The whole country is seething with anarchy, added to which, Russian, Austrian and German agents have been actively engaged in propagating Bolshevism, not to forward Hungarian interests, but to embarass the Allies. The chief centre of the trouble is Budapest, where it is stated a panic exists, the remainder of Hungary being quiet, and giving no indication of joining the Soviets. In, stirring up this trouble the Karolyi Government has evidently not taken account of the consequences. The garrison of Budapest consists of 2000 French soldiers and Servians, but reinforcements can quickly be brought if needful for the pacification of the country, and Karolyi should be well aware that he will be held personally responsible for all illegal acts, while Hungary will have to foot the bill for the consequent expenses. The situation certainly b; istles with dangers and complications and may involve active hostil' '•■'.s, -besides endangering the settlement of the new States. It is impossible to judge of the effect produced by the Bolshevik poison being spread on a soil particularly favorable for its deadly work. The peasants are undergoing terrible ordeals from famine and disease so that they are ready to catch at any straw as a means of salvation. Karolyi •has proved thoroughly untrustworthy and it is evident he has no thought for his country, merely a lust for power. In putting the torch of anarchy into the hands of his people at a time when every effort is being made to promote peace among the nations, he is playing with forces that once cut of control, will destroy the remaining vestige of Hungarian nationality. A Vienna message alleges that Allied troops are, about to be landed on the Dalmatian cpast to prevent the spread of Bolshevism, but it may be that the statement is intended to add fuel to the flames of rebellion. Until the boundaries of Hungary and the new States are fixed by the peace terms Hungary will not know how she is affected and whether or not she has any grievance. Karolyi, however, evidently knows what Hungary deserves to lose, and has been doing his worst to thwart the decisions which will be made. It would seem, therefore, extremely desirable that the conclusion of peace should be expedited, as much as possible, so that the boundaries may be fixed and food supplied. Starvation and Bolshevism appear to run side by side, so that by removing the former the latter would cease to exist. Germany is already receiving food from "the Allies, and the same boon can be extended to the people of AustroHungary on guarantees being forthcoming of the maintenance of law and order. It is not so much dealing with Hungary that matters, but suppressing Bolshevism. This is the ';ask which urgently awaits attention, and the Allies have the necessary force available for the work.