Hungarian Jewry was concerned today over Premier Koloman Daranyi’s assertion, in a speech at Gyoer, that the Jewish question in Hungary must be solved by reducing Jewish influence in trade, industry and cultural life.
Stressing the belief that only a legal, gradual solution was possible, Dr. Daranyi declared the problem arose from the fact that the Jews had attained a disproportionate position in certain economic fields. He asserted the Jews congregated in cities, particularly the capital, where the Jewish influence in cultural life “does not always conform to Hungarian ideals and aspirations.”
This situation, the Premier declared, is preventing full cooperation of national forces and forms a constant “inciting factor” in the public life of Hungary.
He said: “The chief condition for a legal, gradual solution is creation of a just relationship, eliminating disproportions and correspondingly diminishing influence of the Jews in cultural and other spheres of national life.”
Such a solution, giving Christians their rightful place in industry, trade and credit, would also be in the interest of the Jews, Dr. Daranyi added, since it would prevent expansion of extremist movements based on intolerance.
Taking up Premier Daranyi’s theme, Education Minister Valentin Homan, speaking at Szentes, declared that while the Jews who have lived a long time in Hungary had adapted themselves to the Hungarian spirit, the new arrivals had not, but continued to maintain subversive movements.
It is in the interest of the Jews themselves, he asserted, for the disproportionate share of Jews which he said existed in economic and cultural life to be reduced. He emphasized that the Government would not employ violent measures, but only legal means.
The Education Minister declared that Jews should educate their youth to adapt themselves to the Hungarian ideology. He warned the Jews that Jews securing positions in industry by unfair means must be removed and that the government would take steps to prevent the Jews from securing further influence in industry.
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.
