Reports of an attempted rightist putsch, widely current here and abroad, were categorically denied tonight by Hungarian official sources, according to the Havas News Agency.
“The reins of power are firmly in the hands of the Government,” an official statement said, “and the Government is strong enough to crush in the embryo any attempt at extremist agitation.”
Reports of the putsch, allegedly engineered by pro-Nazi groups, sprang up with the sudden departure for Greece of German Minister Hans Georg von Mackensen. Simultaneously Police Chief Ferenczi resigned for unexplained reasons.
Previous to the official denial, it had been understood Premier Koloman Daranyi told an important meeting of Hungarian officials that the Germanophile “Move” organization, consisting of former army officers, was involved in a plot with Hungarian Nazis, the rightist “Turul” and reactionary elements of the National Union Party.
Some sources thought the Government was determined to suppress information concerning undercover plotting to avert European repercussions.
Premier Daranyi warned the country in a speech yesterday against “chance adventures.” At the time there was no outward sign of disorder.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
