New-York tribune., 1902-08-31

DISPUTE OVER A FLAG.
SLAyS THINK IT SENT TO ALLEVIATE
HUNGARIAN ALLEGIANCE.
ANTHONY F. AMBROSE, PRESIDENT OF ST.
PREME ASSEMBLY OF NATIONAL So
CIETY. DENoUNCEs ACT

The Hungarian flag which was brought to
this country and landed last night from the
Statendam by Joseph Zseni, president of the
National Federated Societies of Hungary, has
raised a protest from some of the prominent
Slavs of the United States. They declare that
1t is brought here under the auspices of the
Hungarian Government for the purpose of Gre
ating a closer union between the Hungarian
citizens of the United States and their native
land. with the intention OF alternating their al
Iegiance from the flag of their adoption.
An effort it was declared yesterday, would
be made to keep the flag out of the country, on
the ground that on it were inscriptions inimcal
to the constitution of the United States. These
inscriptions it was said. We're: BE ye daunt
lessly loyal to your Fatherland,' and ITO thy
land be unswervingly true, Q Magyar A few
days ago it is understood that representatives
of the Slavs asked the Treasury Department
not to admit the flag without the payment OF
duty. The Treasury Department replied that
duty would have to be paid
Anthony S. Ambrose, the president of the
Supreme Assembly of the National Slavonic
Society of the United States of America, yes
terday said that he had documentary proof
that Mr.. Zseni and those who came with him
were sent here by the Hungarian Government.
Last night The Tribune received a letter from
Mr.. Ambrose in which he said in part:
Although the flag is sent for the purpose of
arousing Hungarians here to a 1iveler sense OF
from becoming American citizens "a spirit mani
festiy hostile TO American institutions). Consul
General Dessewffy is ldlding the countenance
of his position representative of the Hun
garian Government to the reception to be given
to the banner bearers. For time past the
Hungarian Ministry with the cooperation of
the Cardinal Prince Primate of Hungary, has
been using its influence to have only such
priests sent 70 the Slovak element of Hungari.
ans in America as could be relied upon to act
political agents. no less than in spiritual
capacity.
to this country, has proven to be principally
for the purpose of seeing to it that none who
became naturalized American citizens should be
allowed toehod any office of trust or importance
in any ofSthe Hungarian societies of a semi-re-
ngious character. The second step taken tow
ard discouraging naturalization is the sending
of the flag.
While and most of the other Slavonians born
in Hungary still retain feeling of reverence
naturalized Americans, VINO nave sworn 70 20
be loyal to the Stars and Stripes. beneath
which we have found the prosperity denied US
abroad, indorse so outrageous proceeding as
that contemplated by the sending OF hungary s
tricolor. We deem ii our duty to call the at
tention of Americans this affront offered by
the government OF Hungary and applauded by
DR.. Arpad Czerster the leading Magyar of this
city, a stanch American citizen. recognizing the
doubtfulness of the honor of taking part IN the
flag celebration has resigned as president or
the reception committee
II an effort was made to prevent the flag
from being admitted TO the United States. there
was no indication of 1t when the flag was put
into the hands of the customs officials Tor ap-
praisal They treated 1t just as they would
have treated any other piece of baggage In
fact they were disposed to make 1T easy or the
Hungarians to secure their flag in time for the
presentation. which is to take place in the Grano
Central Palace on Monday. Mr.. Zseni and tne
delegation of Hungarians who met him we're
prepared to facilitate the admission of the nag
Mr.. Zseni had with him a consular lnVolce rs
sued by the United States Consul at buoa-
pest in which the value OF the nag was Sc
down as S4OO This made it unnecessary to send
the flag to the Public Stores for appraisal Ihe
Hungarians here had the necessary money WIN WIN
them pay the duty, which 1t was anfo anousnt
| the pier said that If the duty was pald tne nag
| could be taken away. r1r
| When asked if he had been sent by tne hIh- ~
sarian Government, Mr.. Zseni SAID that Ii.s
! T5niesion had no political significance whatever:
| and that he did not come as q represei'dCi'e VI
! the government
Dr. Joseph Gruiicf one of the vice-presidents
of the reception committee, and severai men mem
| hers were asked TO give the reason Tor the pIo
| fest of certain Hungarians. They all oecieleu
ft was due TO the feeling of the Slavic clIIzens
! Of Hungary toward the Magyars Ihe SIaNs .
| thew declared, were racially opposed TO the e.
| er3s Of fhe government Of Hungary to edu-
| cate Them and otherwise compel theH u ~. -
! come an integral part OF the klnsuoiI. r. IL
! an+inatbv they said still existed In those WHO
I7a n come to this country and become clllzehs;
M ZsenI was escorted from Sandy HOOK py
| . ~oronanv of fifty which included d recepeloii
| oommittee to welcome MIN to this country. AT
| tba nier he was warmly greeted by orle.
sneeches and the playing of the natlonai airs VI
| the United States and Hungary, ana a ulsplas
/ Of flags OF the countries IneFe were PIE
ont Huugarians from different cities OF the 9do
1 6Ia west as well from New-4 ork- MI AseHl ~
20 accompanied by Joseph Szebenyel repre-
n+a+ive of a paper Of Budapest, VINO IS act
TO &C his secretary. D. Papp and a n @ III
r9eet who were said not to be offlclaI 1neihpeIs ,
- the marty also came with them Inc reaSoIi
4a- AR Zseni's coming at this time, II was saII'
- - +ba ,,nveiipg of a statue OF LOUIS hossu i. n
y. CieTaland on the Tooth anniversary OF his
/ 80 which takes place in September
! va rbe origin of the plan to send nag 10 Inis !
o1,r+ry II was said last night, was the id4SIi s
| e - f,nd in this country a year ago TOT the
oac+yon of a statue in Hungary or NoroshdrI
! = aated hungarian. The flag is INTENDED 10 pe
a ret,,Tn Of the compliment. 1t is to be IN the
| oseasrion of the different Hungarian socletes
| fr . year at a time 1t is made OF SILK, peau-
| +tF,,IIv embroidered, and is hung from a goG
| ornamented pole, surmounted with a solu pan
| oan+ajning earth from Hungarian batuehelos'
| "a a silver eagle in the beak or when is
| e-nelI silver sword Mr.. Zseni is a frst heuten-
80 in tine reserves of Hungary.
| To-day the Hungarian party, Which IS stay,
ing AT the Hoffman House, VIII VISIT 1ehei a.
| GrSar+1s tomb and place a wreath there 1t Is
| exDacted that the party Will have an oppoF-
| tni,, m meet President Roosevelt. Mr.. Zsenl
| - some gifts for the President. They Include
| a HnnRarian cowboys equipment