It was for that I came to Hungary; to find out if there was any chance of her Government entering into a secret understanding should it be approached by the British.’
‘I am in no position to say,’ Levianski spread out his hands, ‘but I should think it most unlikely.’
‘For the Jews of Hungary it could mean not only life, but future security and prosperity,’ said Gregory earnestly. ‘The fact that they control Hungary’s industry and commerce must give them considerable power. Surely there are ways in which they could exert their influence on the Government to consider a separate peace?’
Levianski shook his head. ‘You do not understand. The Jews have been well treated here because for hundreds of years they have performed many useful services. But never, never, have they sought to interfere in politics. To have done so would have been to invite an end to the tolerance with which they are regarded. It is true that we have come to think of ourselves as Hungarians, and that financially we run the country. But the fact remains that the Hungarians still look on us only as guests here. And the guest in a man’s house does not presume to tell him how to run it.’
They talked on for another half-hour; but it was already clear to Gregory that the Jews of Pest were unlikely to contribute anything worth while towards the downfall of Hitler. Despite their numbers, and immense financial resources, the fatalism which was tied like a millstone round the neck of their race weighed them down so heavily that they were incapable of standing up in defence of their rights as human beings; or even of using such power as they had in an organised attempt to protect themselves from future massacre. The best that could be hoped from them was that in devious ways they would hamper the Hungarian war effort and, should a movement for an independent peace arise, give it their backing.
Nevertheless, Leon Levianski showed himself personally to be a courageous man; for he said to Gregory before they parted: ‘These endeavours of yours to find a way to bring about peace are most praiseworthy; the more so as making them may easily bring you into danger. I am sure you would not willingly involve me in trouble with the police. But, if they get after you and you can evade them for a few hours, come to my apartment over the shop. I could hide you there for a time, until you could make a plan for getting safely out of the country.’
Gregory thanked him for his generous offer. They then shook hands firmly and went their separate ways through the August dusk. As Gregory walked back to the Vadászkürt he decided rather glumly that there now seemed little hope of his being able to take a favourable report back to London. His talk with Levianski had reinforced his own opinion formed that morning, that the Hungarian people were as yet by no means war-weary, and also revealed the fact that even if they had been it would not have made much difference, as the issue of Hungary’s continuing in the war lay entirely with the aristocracy. Naturally, he intended to see and sound Sir Pellinore’s friends, but since the governing classes were not subject to pressure from the masses it seemed unlikely that they would be willing to abandon the pro-Nazi policy which they had evidently decided offered the best prospect of preserving their wealth and estates. And during the past fortnight the Russian situation, worry over which had been the origin of his mission, had been going from bad to worse.
He could only console himself a little with the thought that, anyhow, a fortnight’s holiday in Budapest with good food and good cheer to be had for the asking would be a most pleasant change after the dreariness of London. As he entered the hall of the hotel, he was thinking that for dinner he would order that famous Hungarian dish, chicken stewed with rice and red peppers. He was not expecting any letters so would have walked straight through had not one of
‘I am in no position to say,’ Levianski spread out his hands, ‘but I should think it most unlikely.’
‘For the Jews of Hungary it could mean not only life, but future security and prosperity,’ said Gregory earnestly. ‘The fact that they control Hungary’s industry and commerce must give them considerable power. Surely there are ways in which they could exert their influence on the Government to consider a separate peace?’
Levianski shook his head. ‘You do not understand. The Jews have been well treated here because for hundreds of years they have performed many useful services. But never, never, have they sought to interfere in politics. To have done so would have been to invite an end to the tolerance with which they are regarded. It is true that we have come to think of ourselves as Hungarians, and that financially we run the country. But the fact remains that the Hungarians still look on us only as guests here. And the guest in a man’s house does not presume to tell him how to run it.’
They talked on for another half-hour; but it was already clear to Gregory that the Jews of Pest were unlikely to contribute anything worth while towards the downfall of Hitler. Despite their numbers, and immense financial resources, the fatalism which was tied like a millstone round the neck of their race weighed them down so heavily that they were incapable of standing up in defence of their rights as human beings; or even of using such power as they had in an organised attempt to protect themselves from future massacre. The best that could be hoped from them was that in devious ways they would hamper the Hungarian war effort and, should a movement for an independent peace arise, give it their backing.
Nevertheless, Leon Levianski showed himself personally to be a courageous man; for he said to Gregory before they parted: ‘These endeavours of yours to find a way to bring about peace are most praiseworthy; the more so as making them may easily bring you into danger. I am sure you would not willingly involve me in trouble with the police. But, if they get after you and you can evade them for a few hours, come to my apartment over the shop. I could hide you there for a time, until you could make a plan for getting safely out of the country.’
Gregory thanked him for his generous offer. They then shook hands firmly and went their separate ways through the August dusk. As Gregory walked back to the Vadászkürt he decided rather glumly that there now seemed little hope of his being able to take a favourable report back to London. His talk with Levianski had reinforced his own opinion formed that morning, that the Hungarian people were as yet by no means war-weary, and also revealed the fact that even if they had been it would not have made much difference, as the issue of Hungary’s continuing in the war lay entirely with the aristocracy. Naturally, he intended to see and sound Sir Pellinore’s friends, but since the governing classes were not subject to pressure from the masses it seemed unlikely that they would be willing to abandon the pro-Nazi policy which they had evidently decided offered the best prospect of preserving their wealth and estates. And during the past fortnight the Russian situation, worry over which had been the origin of his mission, had been going from bad to worse.
He could only console himself a little with the thought that, anyhow, a fortnight’s holiday in Budapest with good food and good cheer to be had for the asking would be a most pleasant change after the dreariness of London. As he entered the hall of the hotel, he was thinking that for dinner he would order that famous Hungarian dish, chicken stewed with rice and red peppers. He was not expecting any letters so would have walked straight through had not one of
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