Burlesque in Budapest

Laszlo Rajk, former Hungarian Foreign Minister, on trial for plotting to overthrow Hungary's government, was close to the end of the road. The trial itself, charged Marshal Tito last week, was part of a plot to overthrow the Yugoslav government. In a firm diplomatic note, Tito called the trial a "juridical burlesque."

Last week, the Budapest burlesque reached its inevitable finale. The "defense" faithfully cooperated. Said Rajk's lawyer: "He was only a tool. Such crimes as his could not exist if there were no warmongers." Said the lawyer for Lieut. General Gyorgy Palffy, former chief of staff of the Hungarian army: "I must defend this man in spite of the loathing I feel."

Rajk was vehement in his protestation of guilt: "I declare in advance that whatever the sentence may be, I shall consider it just." While the sentence was being read, Rajk stood between two grey-uniformed guards, his hands clasped behind his back; spectators close to him saw that he was digging his fingernails deep into the flesh. The verdict: death on the gallows for Rajk and two fellow defendants, life imprisonment for two more, nine years for another. Soldier Palffy will be sentenced separately by "a court-martial.

Rajk told the court in a clear voice that he would not ask for clemency. "I accept the sentence because it is just. But I disagree with the defense motion for appeal!"

He seemed to want to say more, but the judge cut him off. The spectacle had ended: there was no point in letting Rajk overact his role.

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