Our Daily News Letter

(By Our Budapest Correspondent)

The manner in which the Hungarian anti-Semites are attempting to discredit the movement against the numerus clausus is exemplified in a book which has appeared here, entitled “Kampf um den Numerus Clausus,” by Stefan Haller. The writer, defending the numerus clausus law, seeks to show that there is an organized effort on the part of all important Jewish organizations abroad and the foreign Jewish press to intervene in Hungary’s internal affairs in the matter of the numerus clausus. One of the “proofs” adduced by Haller is an inquiry directed in June, 1925 by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency to the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, asking for information regarding a cable which had come from Budapest reporting the extension of the numerus clausus restriction not only to students but also to graduates.

Haller tries to show that a numerus clausus exists not only in Roumania and Poland but in England, Germany and the United States. This statement he bases on the reports of alleged anti-Jewish discrimination in Cambridge, Harvard, etc. Giving an outline of the history of the numerus clausus law in Hungary, an outline which is thoroughly biased, Haller comes to the question of the recognition of diplomas from universities abroad, wherein he makes reference to the inquiry of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “The Jewries abroad.” he writes, “found an opportunity through the question of Nostrifizierung, (recognition of diplomas from foreign universities) to interfere in our internal affairs. Preliminary to intervention, a diplomatic transaction took place between the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, the Hungarian Foreign and Education Ministries and a foreign Jewish press agency.

“On June 16, 1925.” Haller proceeds, “a report appeared in the ‘Jewish Daily Bulletin.’ according to which diplomas acquired abroad were not recognized by the Hungarian universities. As a concrete example, the University of Fuenfkirchen (Pees). was cited, which it was stated, refused recognition to twelve foreign medical diplomas. On the basis of this report the Jewish Telegraphic Agency wrote to the mungarian Foreign Ministry via the Embassy in Washington, requesting information. The Foreign Ministry being unfamiliar with this matter, turned it over to the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Education thereupon substantiated that ten applications for recognition of diplomas had been made at the University of Fuenikirchen, of which number one medical diploma had been acquired in Muenchen, two in Breslau, two in Vienna, one in Leipzig, one in Prague, one in Hamburg. one in Heidelberg and one in Padua. Recognition for three medical diplomas (one from Prague, one from Breslau and one from Paris) was also requested from the Budapest University. The University of Fuenfkirchen applied in this matter to the Ministry of Education asking to be informed whether such action had to be taken with consideration for the numerus clausus law (1925 XX), whether the recognition of these diplomas would be in accordance with the national interests or whether the creation of a new statute would be necessary.

“The Ministry of Education informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and thereby the Washington Embassy that the hitherto accepted procedure regarding recognition of foreign diplomas would continue to be valid in the future, i.e., a diploma wherever acquired–provided reciprocity arrangements existed-world be recognized, if the applicant satisfied individually the conditions prerequisite to such recognition.”

Haller finds special comfort in the thought that although not legally sanctioned, the numerus clausus against Jewish students is being enacted in Roumania and in Poland, and he cites figures to show that the anti-Jewish restrictions are rigorously applied in the universities of Krakow, Warsaw, Wilna, etc. Towards the end Haller polemizes with the former Minister of Finance, Roland von Hegedues, who believes that the existence of the numerus clausus law is detrimental to Hungary’s interests, especially in the matter of securing loans abroad. Haller thinks that Hegedues is not well-informed, since large loans are being offered daily in various foreign countries, and he concludes by declaring that the numerus clausus cannot be lifted until the Treaty of Trianon will be abolished.