Page:Heinrich Karl Schmitt - The Hungarian Revolution - tr. Matthew Phipps Shiel (1918).djvu/55

 by the Nationalities, for from of old it is not the oppressor, the holder of power, who proceeds to revolution, but the Opposition—this superiority, I say, must form the basis for the settlement of the questions in dispute. Let it be clearly stated that in Hungary the Magyars themselves are a Nationality in the higher sense, who were forced into a union not wanted by them, hated, contested, by them; and that this led to the Revolution. Nor are the outcomes of the Revolution to be confined and pressed into narrow channels. The Entente should clearly understand that Hungary is the solidest of the fore-Balkan countries and, whatever the opinion may be at present, I hardly think that any one intimate with the facts could be found who would venture to deny that the Magyars are more culturally advanced than the Roumanians, Servians, Croats, Bulgarians, Slovaks and Mixed Races, more advanced, not only in respect of their knowledge of the alphabet, as clearly proved by statistics, but also especially as regards writing, newspaper circulation, respect for culture, and extent, of culture.

The Balkans were an eternal conflagration, while Hungary was the sure home of tranquility. A considerable railway system was operating beneficially in an industrial sense, a fast developing industry was improving the adjustment of imports and exports—and the root of the trouble was the conflict of nationalities, was the former oppression of them. Precisely this cardinal cause is now removed, is for ever put aside. The fullest autonomy is assured to the Nationalities.

If against all the arguments of reason and logic a chaos were created in Hungary, such a thing must result in an ever new conflagration. The intention of putting essentially Magyat districts under foreign rule, an intention evident enough in the violent steps then taken, will, if persisted, in, lead to the severest conflicts, and besides, stop development in the industrial direction. There will arise a new Balkans, a second Balkans, and therewith a second hot-bed of crises, and what this prospect promises for the future can be well enough measured by the past.