The Canadian-American Review of Hungarian Studies - Vol. 4 ... - EPA

Canadian-American Review of Hungarian Studies, Vol. IV, No. 2 (Fall 1977)Watson Kirkconnell:Translator of Hungarian Poetry and aFriend of Hungarian-CanadiansN. F. DreiszigerFriends of SmallNationsOne of history's lessons is that, without outside help, small nationsand weak minorities often become the victims of international ornational political conflicts as the Second World War amply illustrates.Contrary to common belief, the victimization of defenceless groups hasnot been confined to totalitarian states; often democratic societies arealso guilty. Even the history of Canada, one of the world's most peacefulcountries, contains examples of unprovoked acts against minorities.One has only to recall the treatment of British Columbia's Japaneseresidents during World War II.In the history of mankind the sufferings of small nations and minoritygroups have been prevented or diminished through help coming fromone or more of the great powers. At other times, influential individualshave come to their aid. True, most of the time help was contingent oneconomic or political concessions. Occasionally, however, aid had nostrings attached. That influential statesmen, publicists and academicshave been able to do a great deal for small nations and minorities, hasbeen demonstrated many times in history. Two British publicists, R. W.Seton-Watson and H.W. Steed, for example, effectively promoted thecause of Czech independence during the closing years of the First WorldWar. Hungary too, has had such influential sympathizers abroad. Oneof these was the English newspaper magnate, Lord Rothermere. Anotherwas Professor C.A. Macartney, the Oxford historian and theauthor of several books on Hungarian history. It is less commonlyknown in the world, and not even in Canada, that Hungarians, especiallyHungarian-Canadians, also had a Canadian friend: WatsonKirkconnell, teacher, scholar, poet and publicist who until his reccntdeath lived in retirement in the quiet university town of Wolfville, NovaScotia.Kirkconnell's work in the field of verse translation from the Hun-