New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-29
KOCI4N AND VIOLIN BACK.
Vent Home for 4dUice, 1t Is Er-
DLained-T0 Return 1t Noe.

Jaroslav Kocan, the Bohemian vlolinist. who
on April % sailed for Hamburg on the steamer
Auguste Victoria. carrying with him a valuable
violin one of a collection owned by w. c. klop-
ton of this city, returned the steamer
Deutschland last night to give the violin back
to Mr. Klopton. When he came ashore he car
ried the case containing the instrument in ms
right hand He accompanied by a friend 10
SET Ian Svatek Editor of the ''Pravske Noviny,
and a lawyer. MIR. Svatek talked for kocian-
He said that Kocian was in some things boy,
and that his immaturity coupled with his lack
Of knowledge of the English language and the
contradictory character of the advice given MIN
by persons in this country, were the reasons for
his taking away a violin not his own. Uncertain
as TO what course TO pursue, he took the Vloilh
with him. and returned to his native country 10
obtain advice from his own people When asked
about the letter mailed to Mr.. Klopton on the
morning the steamer sailed, in which hoclah
said he was taking the violin with him because
he thought so much of it that he might be Will
ing TO sacrifice ten years Of his life rather IMAM
part with the instrument. he said the letter was
written by a friend, and that he had copied It,
not fully aware of its contents, owing to his lack
of familiarity with the English language
Mr.. Svatek said that they would spend the
night at the Waldorf-Astoria. and this morning
they would communicate with Mr.. Klopton TO
learn when it would be convenient for him 10
receive them at the Empire Hotel, where he
lives and receive from them his violin.
Mr.. Svatek's explanation Of the affair was as
follows:
The first 1 knew about the case was when re-
ceiyad a telegraphic dispatch from kocian, at
"herbourg asking meet him at CuGhaFen
on account Of some important business ,Nhen
met Kocian he told the whole story ABOUT the
violin saving that he did not know where he stood
i'm the matter. and therefore had concluded that
rope W il and get advice from his own people,
] told him that he could not keep the T1oIn ana
we asked Captain kaempf Of the Auguste VIC
1O-ia to bring IL back with him. captain haefnpr
refused 10 DO so, suggesting that it be sent PACK
by express or by mail KoCian thought this method
time the American papers had reached Prague. and
the story was every ones lips Something had
10 he done on May u KoCian made a sworn
statement before the United States Consul at
Prague that had the violin. and that II belonged
70 a Mr. Klopton living at the Hotel Empire and
that he intended returning with it. We Immediately
came on the Deutschland. hOcian not even taxing
time TO go into the country to his parents be-
fore he started. To do this It was necessary TO
break enga Eements 10 play at St petersburg
Moscow and Vienna He will probably have to
nav a heavy fine for failing to fulhl ms engage
mentS.
Joseph j. Kovatik of No. go East Eighty
siXth-st a friend was the only one at the pier
10 meet KoCian kocian and his friend expect
to sail again next Thursday on the Deutschland
They had with them a copy Of the AFFIDAVIT
sworn TO before Ethelbert Watts, the United
States Consul al Prague