“armed Seizure” of Austria Assailed in Hungarian Parliament

An attack on Nazi Germany for its “armed seizure” of Austria, coupled with vigorous reaffirmation of Hungary’s intention to defend its own independence against all aggression, was launched in the Magyar Parliament by the Government opposition tonight.

The anti-German assault was led by George Szechenyi, of the United Christian Party, during a debate on foreign policy in the lower chamber. Anschluss with Austria, he charged, “was not realized by freely-made decisions” of the Austrian people, but “by an armed occupation.”

Szechenyi’s accusation evoked a storm of protest from the right benches. Government supporters cried “long live our friend Germany!”

But Szechenyi held his ground, assailing the Government’s pro-German attitude as a slur on Hungary’s good name. Premier Koloman Daranyi replied that his cabinet’s stand on the Austrian question conformed to the interests of the Hungarian nation.

Deputy Hugo Payr of the Independent Party sounded another anti-German note by warning of the need for united resistance against all threats to Magyar independence.

“We cannot count on the aid of foreign powers,” Payr declared. “Hungarian independence can be defended neither by the Rome accords nor by any other diplomatic methods, but solely by the courage of the Hungarians.

“It is mad to support a political movement (The pro-Nazi factions here) which would create the impression abroad that a single Hungarian citizen is ready to become the citizen of another State.”

“What are the guaranties of Hungarian independence?” Payr demanded. “We have seen the fall of Austria, and now it is Czechoslovakia which is menaced.”

“Let Czechoslovakia beware!” cried extreme rightist government supporters.

Premier Daranyi answered Payr by asserting that Hungary’s independence was in no way threatened, being guaranteed by friendly powers and by the Hungarian army.

Outside Parliament, official circles showed great reserve in discussing foreign policy. The fact the Government was assailed so violently in the chamber was an indication of strong undercurrent disturbance in high circles over the broad lines of Hungarian. policy beyond the frontier.

Meanwhile, however, a new “national peasant and worker” party made its bow with a pro-Government program, based on mass support for Daranyi, fidelity to the Rome-Berlin axis, friendship with Poland and Yugoslavia, abolition of the upper chamber and measures to curb banks and other financial organizations.

The party, Led by Tibor Rakovszki, is the result of A split with the Agrarian Party, which is charged with favoritism to the large land-holders.