Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-01-17
THE REAL CAUSE
OF Austria'l Refusal of fJOnas-DamasinE
Revelations


Revelations
. CHICAGO, January l6,-The Daily News
Washington special says Chares Jonas
OF Madison, Wis, was nominated by the
President to be Consul at Prague on April
l5, 1885. Mr.. Jonas is o native Of Aus
tria-HuDgary, but has lived iu this country
number Of yeara. The Austrian Govern
ment refused his exequator without fur
ther explanation than that he had made
speeches and written newspaper articles
deuouncing that Government. Some weeks
ago the Secretary Of State telegraphed
Consul General Jussen at Vienna 10 60 to
Prague aud learn If possible the real cause
OF Austria's refusal to receive Mr. Jonas.
Mr.. Jussen's report was received at the
State Department to-day. He says the
feeling against Mr.. Jonas was adroltly
worked up by the latter's predecessor e.
A. Phelps, OF Massachusetts, who believed
that the Withholding OF Jonas eXequator
would result in the retention Of himself
and his Vice Consul. Inquiry developed
the fact thss Mr.. Phelps, during his resi-
dence in Prague, had identified himself
with the German Anti-Czechian element,
and it was this element which set on foot
the charges against Jonas
After the German element had entered
the field as the champions OF Phelps, and
the sccusers of Jonas, the Czechs went TO
the rescue of their countrymen, and insist
ed that it would be an insult to the Bohe-
mians if Mr.. Jonas, after being honored
with an appointment, should be disgraced
by the refusal OF Austria to him. The
question became at once political one Of
absorbing Importance, and the fact that
Mr.. Jonas was All American citizen and
nominated TO office as an American citi-
zen, and not as a Bohemian, was entirely
disregarded. The fight ragged hot and fu-
rious. Meetings were held by both par
ties, The question wGs submitted 10 the
members OF the Bohemian Legislature,
and Count Taafe, the Prime Minister, was
threatened in turn by each party in case
he disregarded their wishes.
There appears 10 be no doubt in Mr.
Jussen mind that Count Tast, in refusing
Mr.. Jonas exeqQator, was influenced by
what he regarded a5 the political eXigen-
cies CT his administration, aud gave no
heed Whatever TO the courtesy due the
Government, nor 10 the real merits OF the
case under consideration lie believes all
the personal charges made against Jonas
in connection with his political antecedents
were mere blind to hide the real o6lec-
ton, which was solely that the issuing OF
his eXequator would irri,ate the German
element Of Bohemia and the city Of
Prague particularly, while at the came
time it would strengthen the C1ech5 be
yond measure, aud be accepted by them
as O signal OF political victory Of their ma
tionslity.
Mr.. Jussen further believes il at this
juncture it has been explained 20 Coutt
Taafe By ex-Miuis er Francis thst
Czechiau aspirations hsd no connection
with Jonas appointment, and that Jonas,
If Installed, would not have dared 70 take
any interest in local politics, Count IsHi7
objections couli have been speedily re,
Cn the contrary, the prote7t3 OF
Mr. Francis were 90 Intellectually and
umidly presented that they had no weight
with the Austrian Minister, and Mr.. Jonas
was iucoutinen,ly thrown over. y clearer
understanding Of the Austrian Govern
ments 8 objections TO iavoriag the C'echs is
found in tho fact that o! the 100000 OF
these people in Aus'rig- Hungary they are
almos; 20 man in strong sympathy with
the Russians, from which race they origin
sllv sUrang An effort is being made by
Mr.. Jonas friends - secure tor him the
pos,mastership of Madison, Wis to indeu' .
nify him for his LOSE.