Page:Alice Riggs Hunt - Facts About Communist Hungary (1919).djvu/9

 confiscated, but the value of the shares, minus the interest dividend, is credited to the account of the owner, although that owner can draw only two thousand crowns a month from it. This amount is the wage of the highest paid physical worker.

"The revolution was not brought about by lack of food, but by an active propaganda carried on for two months which convinced tho people. The great mass of the people of Hungary have never had enough food, clothing, or sufficient housing, and cannot expect the revolution to give them these things over-night, at a time when every country in Europe is unable to obtain raw materials. Women have helped greatly in the establishment of the Dictatorship, especially Adel Spady and Maria Gosthonyi, both of whom are of noble birth. Rosika Schwimmer is a counter-revolutionist." I asked if she was in prison? He laughed and said "certainly not." I asked: is Karolyi in prison? Ho said "no you can go and see him if you like."

"I cannot tell the exact organization or policy of the government until the Soviet convention on June 14th, when questions of the constitution and of Foreign policy will be decided."'

Bela Vago, the President of the Revolutionary Tribunal, states that crime has noticeably decreased since alcoholism was abolished, and that the organisation of local tribunals is very nearly completed. No lawyers are allowed in these courts, the forty-eight judges (who are elected by local Soviets) sitting in rotation, with four on the bench serving at the same time. The judges are paid the wage of specialists, which is equivalent to that received by the highest paid manual labourer, and so far there are neither women judges nor a women's court. Since the Communist revolution there have been only two cases of capital punishment, both of which were for counter-revolutionary activity. At the time of the establishment of this court there were five hundred libel suits pending. The Revolutionary Tribunal asked that unnecessary cases be withdrawn; and gave warning that plaintiffs found to have unsubstantial cases would be fined for obstructing the business of the court. In less than two days four hundred and sixty of the libel suits were withdrawn.