Premier Koloman Daranyi today advocated a halt in Jewish immigration from the East into Hungary on “economic” grounds in an address before numerous officials and members of Parliament, the Havas News Agency reported.
“The Jewish question presents itself not on a racial, but on an economic basis,” he declared. “The proportion of the Jewish population is without connection with the role played by Jews in the economy of the country.
“Consequently it is desirable to stop Jewish immigration from the East and to lead those established in the country to collaborate more liberally in national life. It is not by demonstrations and riots that the question may be solved.”
Premier Daranyi asserted that “even if the Israelites did not exist, there would nevertheless be difficulties in Hungary, for our country is equipped with an agricultural organization and is without sufficient capital.”
Declaring himself ready to collaborate politically with varied parties, the Premier said he was determined to maintain order against troublesome elements.
A warning that Hungary will not tolerate dictators was sounded in his speech. The address was in the nature of an answer to statements of policy made by opposition leaders last week.
Discussing foreign affairs, he specifically mentioned Austria and Italy as friends of Hungary, referring to Germany only in connection with commercial developments. Expressing satisfaction with the Italo-Yugoslav accord, he said Hungary will negotiate with the Little Entente (Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Rumania) if accorded equality of rights and guaranties as to the treatment of minorities.
“We are for liberty against dictatorship,” Tibor Eckhardt, leader of the small landowners’ party, said yesterday. “If the Premier takes a vigorous position against the extremists of the Right, we will support him willingly. In the contrary case we will combat him uncompromisingly.”
“Hungary has no more need of dictatorships than of dictators,” Daranyi said here, “because we can solve our problems within the framework of the Constitution, and we have a chief, the Regent” (Admiral Nicholas Horthy).
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
