Central Europe
Federation in Central Europe, Reflections and Reminiscences. By Dr. Milan Hodza. (Jarrolds. I8s.)
WHAI gives this book its special value is that Dr. Hodza writes about matters which he thoroughly understands, and which it is important that we should understand, namely, the social and economic forces of Central Europe. Of the Ito million inhabitants of the eight countries concerned, 70 millions are peasants, and Dr. Hodza states that the "natural development is likely to move in the future again in two directions : to modernise farming in a rural democracy and to elevate- its living standards." Ten years ago Western Europe did not realise the usefulness of linking up Central European economy with general European economic interests. Germany did. At present it is beginning to be appre- ciated that what happens in Central Europe after the war is likely to be of importance not only for the economic development, but for the peace, of Europe and therefore of the world, and that there-
fore we and our Allies are likely to be closely concerned in the of assisting these countries along the line of their natural develop by helping them to raise their standard of life in a rural dem "If there is an ordered freedom—to save freedom, and ordered democracy—to save democracy ; and an ordered econom to save economy, why not," asks Dr. Hodza, "accept orde sovereignty to save nationalism?" He thereupon proceeds to line the constitutional requirements of a federation of the Cen European States, which shall favour at one and the same time healthy development of national characteristics and a sane re, for the internationalism that serves common interests.
This thesis is admirably illumined by the lessons which Dr. fl
draws from his own experience. In the course of a long poi life he has been engaged in turn in organising the revolt of national minorities against Magyar domination, "which, for prac purposes, meant nothing more nor less than a reckless and ruthl magyarisation " ; in helping to produce an equilibrium of pohn forces in Czechoslovakia by uniting his Slovak Agrarian Dem Party with the Czech Agrarian Party of Antonin Svehla ; and fin as Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia, in creating the means for widening collaboration between Czechoslovakia and other countn This was begun by the collaboration of Agrarian Democratic Pa in Central Europe—to which the Polish Peasant Parties found th selves attracted, although the time had not yet come for poll conversations between the two countries—and ended by the nego tion of a system of preferences, by which Hungary and Au became economic partners on an equal footing with Czechoslov close political friends, Rumania and Yugoslavia.
As a young Slovak member of the Hungarian Parliament, Hodza helped in 1905 to organise that co-operation between Sloe Transylvanian Rumanians, Croats and Serbs which can now seen as the first form of what became fifteen years 'iater the poi of the Little Entente. At that time he attracted the goodwill of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his picture of the Archduke his political activities is the most generous which I have seen, his conclusion is perfectly definite: "The disruption of the monarchy had been prepared half a century ago by the incapa of the Habsburg monarchy to deal with its racial problems accord to the principles of justice and democracy. So what the World W did was just to sanction the facts." Another observation of portance for the future is that with all Central European flat except Austria and Hungary, nationalism evolved simultaneou with democratic feeling. This, as Dr. Hodza points out, la derives from the fact that the enemies of their liberties were at same time racial and social foes. Even after the abolition of serfd by law, a former legal serfdom was in many cases converted into illegal but tolerated subjugation. Dr. Hodza might have ch as an example of this situation the fact that the assassins of Archduke Franz Ferdinand were sons of Kmet-Bosnian peasar subjected to a feudal semi-slavery. Central European democr: therefore is strengthened by racial emotionalism, and its national., is deepened by democratic principles ; only in Hungary is l process absent.
Dr. Hodza looks to the future with courage, the kind of pracu courage which enabled him to fight anti-democratic speculation the peasant's expense by setting up a board of co-operation posed of agricultural co-operatives, grain merchants, millers consumer-organisations. "Everyone was dissatisfied. That was favourable start," he writes ; and again, "No one being satisfied, co-operation became a success within a year." This book is to warmly welcomed, for however the future may differ froni the p1 outlined here, those who are responsible for reorganising East Europe will at their peril neglect the experience set out M.th pages. In view of its importance, it is to be regretted that it not been revised by someone whose mother tongue is English. Su a revision would have made it much easier to read.
HENRY ANDES".
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