The Hungarian Quarterly April-July, 1962 [antikvár]

"COME OVER" by Miklos Kallay ROBERT I. GANNON'S book, "The Cardinal Spellman Story" is more than a biography of an outstanding and successful man; it is, in fact, a mine of interesting and important historical documents. The sec- ond part of the book especially deals with the great crises of our times. It contains the discussions on the foreign affairs of Bishop, later Arch- bishop Spellman with President Franklin D. Roosevelt, on the basis of the contemporary notes of the Cardinal. Cardinal Spellman was the 'favorite Bishop/ a friend and confi- dant of the President. In discussions with the Cardinal, the President spoke without any mental reservation. These discussions, therefore, illuminate the way of thinking, opinion and plans of the President in foreign affairs. This sincerity lends a particular importance to the statements of President Roosevelt. These statements are interesting and important also because—as subsequent events proved—they were, in substantial part, an anticipation of the future. In these discussions, the President also spoke about his personal feelings toward the Hungarian people, about the situation and pos- sible fate of Hungary. These statements bear particular interest for us, Hungarians. It is worthwhile to compare these statements with those contemporary secret discussions which were undertaken by the Hungarian Government on its own initiative, with the representatives of the Great Western Powers in order to take Hungary over to the side of the Great Western Allies.