The Hungarian Red Cross has sent a message to the
Russian Red Cross expressing deep concern and sympathy at the loss of the Russian hospital ship Portugal.' It will be remembered that the 'Portugal' was torpedoed by a German submarine when she was lying at anchor in daylight. She was plainly marked with all the usual emblems of a hospital ship. Over a hundred lives were lost.' The Hungarian message says that the deed must have been the result of "a grievous misunderstanding." The words do not exclude the probability that the Hungarians, who have shown several other signs besides this message of retaining their liking for decency, think that "grievous misunderstandings" on the part of their German allies are deplorably common. The indepen- dent act of the Hungarian Red Cross is in itself a curious proof of detachment from Germany.
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