The Swedish press today reported that the pro-Nazi government of Hungary is trying to barter the lives of 4,500 Jews for Swedish recognition of the present Hungarian regime. The report adds that the Swedish Government is making all possible efforts to save Jews in Hungary without submitting to these black-mail tactics.
The 4,500 Jews involved are all holders of Swedish “protective passports.” The Szalasi Government has notified the Swedish Foreign Ministry that it will disregard the protection which the 4,500 Hungarian Jews enjoy as a result of their Swedish passports and will apply to them all anti-Jewish laws, unless Sweden recognizes it.
In a radio broadcast today, Laszlo Bankuti, vice-president of the National Defense Association in Budapest, warned Hungarians against displaying any sympathy for Jews. “One hours on every side remarks of misled Hungarians when seeing groups of Jewish men and women led to labor service, such as ‘poor Jews’ Do you pity the Jews because they have to work and must leave their residences in yellow-starred houses?” Bankuti said.
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