There were elections yesterday in what is left of Hungary. Now that Socialism is in power it shows how it carries out the principles of universal suffrage and secret ballot, which for decades were the catch-words with which it endeavoured to seduce the electorate. The time has come when no obstacle to Marxism exists, all ways and means are at its disposal. In the village since early morning men and women have been flocking to the communal hall. In the Soviet Republic, Proletarians alone have a vote, but those who do not avail themselves of their right are deprived of their food tickets and are liable to be summoned before the Revolutionary Tribunal. Priests have no votes. Hungarian gentry cultivating their own land have no votes, nor have crippled heroes nor invalided officers. Lawyers are not Proletarians. But any Russian or foreign Jew can vote if he is a Proletarian. And the Jews who, before the social upheaval, claimed that they belonged to cultured classes, have now turned Proletarians. Even the sons of bank directors. At the town hall door stood a man who handed out the printed list of the official candidates. The voters looked at the list. One or two read it and swore. “Let’s cross this one out and write our cousin’s name instead,” the women advised. The returning officers shouted: “Let no one dare to cross out the names of candidates or substitute others in their place!” “Well, Mr. Comrade,” a labourer asked, “then what am I to do with this bit of paper?” “You just go and vote with it, comrade,” was the answer, and the ticket was taken out of his hand. “Devil take it!” exclaimed the men, passing lists over the table. And in this spirit the proud and triumphant Proletariat elected its council. In the neighbouring villages and even in Budapest it was done in the same way. Comrade Landler’s emissaries had prepared the lists of candidates in advance. Preliminary meetings and the assembling of crowds were prohibited. Even the privileged class of Budapest working men only saw the printed list of the candidates when the voters entered the booth.