Hungary and the Logics of War
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 6:23 am
From the introduction of Krisztián Ungváry's "Battle for Budapest - 100 Days in World War II" (2003)Like so many people in the West - then as today - British and US politicians were unfamiliar with conditions in east-central Europe and did not really understand the driving forces behind Hungarian politics. This is demonstrated in a conversation that is said to have taken place between a US State Department official and the Hungarian chargé d'affaires on the occasion of Hungary's declaration of war on the US, as recorded by Galeazzo Ciano, the Italian Foreign Minister:
"Is Hungary a republic?"
"No, it's a kingdom."
"Then you have a king?"
"No, we have an admiral."
"Then you have a fleet?"
"No, we do not have any sea."
"Do you have any claims, then?"
"Yes."
"Against America?"
"No."
"Against England?"
"No."
"Against Russia?"
"No."
"But against whom do you have these claims?"
"Against Romania."
"Then you will declare war on Romania?"
"No, sir. We're allies."
Highly recommended book!
Krollspell
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