New Hungarian Premier, Though No Anti-semite, is Likely to Compromise with the Nazis

Jews in Hungary, sensitive to any changes in the Hungarian Government, are reported today as satisfied with the fact that Nicholas von Kallay, former Minister of Agriculture, was this week appointed Premier, succeeding Dr. Ladislaus de Bardossy, who resigned “for reasons of ill health” after resisting German pressure for increased Hungarian military aid on the Soviet front.

Though the new Premier is considered likely to compromise with the Nazis and anti-Semites, it is known that he is not an admirer of Hitler and also that he is not an anti-Semite by personal conviction. He comes from one of Hungary’s oldest noble families, the members of which are known to be liberal. As Minister of Agriculture he was responsible for certain anti-Jewish measures in Hungary’s grain export trade, but his appointment to Premiership now is looked upon by Jews in Hungary as a move to prevent the coming to power of Dr. Imredy, the leader of the Hungarian Nazis who though of Jewish descent is one of the most bitter anti-Semites in the country.

The fact that von Kallay has taken over the post of Premier, is being interpreted here as proof that no Hungarian statesman of great stature could be found for the post under the present conditions. The existence of the newly formed von Kallay Cabinet depends entirely upon Hitler, as he is able to force Kallay’s resignation at any moment he may choose to do so by having the Nazi members in the Hungarian parliament exploit certain incidents in the new Premier’s past which took place when he was Minister of Agriculture.