Imredy, Admitting Jewish Origin, Quits As Hungarian Premier

Premier Bela Imredy resigned today for the announced reason that one of his maternal great grandparents was a Jew. The resignation, made known at a meeting of the Government party, came on the eve of scheduled discussion by the Hungarian Parliament of Imredy’s own severe anti-Jewish law.

The Premier admitted in a public declaration what he had denied so emphatically in reply to direct questions from the opposition last month. At that time, he had protested that he came of pure Magyar and German stock and said he had documents available for inspection in his office which would prove it. He declared, however, that “everyone has the full right to be an anti-Semite even if he has 25 or 50 per cent Jewish blood.”

As recently as Jan. 20, Dr. Imredy made a violent attack on the Jews who, he said, constituted a group “hostile to the true Hungarian spirit.” Calling for a fight against “the poisonous influence of the Jewish spirit” in morality, the Premier said: “With equal energy we must fight against the domination which the Jews have gained in our country’s economic life…..This fight, however, must be conducted by legal means, and not by violence. The Christian society is sufficiently strong to solve this problem and stands in no need of the cudgels of hobbledehoys.”

Imredy’s admission of his origins “provoked stupor among the members of his party,” said the radical-liberal newspaper Esti-Kurier. “Public opinion considers that Imredy has rendered no service to the country. In view of the principles enunciated by the former Premier and the policy he pursued, this affair not only affects him but the entire country and creates a grotesque situation.”