Page:Heinrich Karl Schmitt - The Hungarian Revolution - tr. Matthew Phipps Shiel (1918).djvu/23

 Sharp on this the second report: the Platzkommando in the Inner Town is being besieged.

Alexander Garbai and the author, Ludwig Birò, afterwords Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs were despatched thither to work for quietness. They had scarcely hurried away when two officers entered with incomparable aplomb, and bluntly announced:—

"Be it known to the National Council: the Platzkommando is overcome: the watch is on our side: the Central Garrison alone withstands the National Council. We await its orders."

Frenzied jubilation after an icy silence; the held-back breath burst from the lungs; and while the mass below received the tidings with drunken rapture, the first salvos roared out, salute-guns were planted in the streets, out of windows, shots of jubilee were discharged, a wild sense of exhilaration carried away all, and all the bounds of ceremony and stiffness were abolished.

In the meantime, delegates of the National Council had taken over the building of the Platzkommando without the least disorder.

Toward two o'clock the news was known that the Soldiers' Council, which all at once was there with as much assurance as if it always had been there, had resolved to beset the Stadtkommando, and to take over the command of the Budapest Garrison and all troops in the city.

A few people hastened with some members of the Soldiers' Council to the Stadtkommando. The officer in command obeyed their mere order at once. Salvos of cannon announced the taking of this Central post, too, by the Executive of the National Council

Shortly thereupon, accompanied by five staff-officers, General Vàrkonyi appeared in the Hotel Astoria. He declared with a shaking voice that he remained faithful to his oath to his King, but yielded to force, and gave over the military command of Budapest to the National Council. The General was taken into custody, and put into Room 106 of the Hotel Astoria. Nearby, in No. 105, the Chancery of the National Council had been installed, while in other rooms there was a crush of people; some dozed for weariness,