The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-29
k0CIAN HERE; SOS THE VIOLIN
MIR. CLOPTON TO GET HIS $50, 900
GUiRNERIUS TO-DAY.
Moreover, the viOlinist Denies Saying
He'd Give Up 10 Years OF His Life
Rather Than Part With the Flddle-His
Uncle Helped Him to Bring 1t Back

Jaroslav Kocian, the violinist, is back.
So is w. c. Clopton's $4,000 Guarnerius
violin which the Bohemian took with him
on April % and Of which he wrote that
he would rather give up ten years Of his
life than part with it. Both came on the
Deutschland last night.
The violin was in Il large black box which
kocian did not let out Of his hand from the
moment Sandy Hook came in sight until
he was safely landed in room at the Wal
dorf-Astoria
The violinist was accompanied by his
uncle, Dr. Josef Jan Svatek, editor Of the
Prdzske No,iy, the official newspaper OF
Prague, Bohemia. The only person that
met the travellers on the dock was Joseph
DR.. j. Chlemicek IIuhan, president Of the
Bohemian Societies and Kocians host
during his previous stay in this city, failed
to appear
Uncle and nephew were equally emphatic
in declaring that the violin will be returned
afternoon. When a newspaper clipping
was shown to Kocian in which Clopton was
| quoted as saying that he would forgive
| and forget II only his fiddle were returned
the viofinist looked as il heavy load had
been lifted from his mind.
The uncle did most Of the talking. Kocan
contented himself with denying, any will
| ingness to give up ten years of his life for
| q violin, no matter how valuable.
A friend wrote the letter for me, which
/ sent to Mr.. Clopton on the morning Of
my departure for Europe he said Il
one-half of it,"
his nephew at Cuxhaven in response to a
| telegram from Cherbourg. Az soon as he
heard the story Of the violin he told Kocian
| that the instrument must be returned, and
| that the best thing would be to send it
back with Capt Kaempf of the Augusta
Victoria, in which boat the vioinist had
| crossed.
But the captain refused to incur such
heavy responsibility, said DR.. Svatek E.
He advised us to send 1t by express. My
nephew was afraid of doing so. We went
| to Prague then, thinking it might just as
we'll he sent from there. Then came the
American papers and all the stories--such
stories! I told my nephew he must delay
no longer.
We went to the American Consul, Mr.
sworn statement that he had the violin
in his possession, that he admitted Mr..
C1opton's ownership of il and that he would
return it at once. The Consul cabled to
Mr. Clopton.
but TO 60 over here ourselves and tell the
American people all about it. That's why
we are here. Mr.. Clopton shall have his
violin. The great American people shall
know that my nephew did not mean to do
anything wrong.
HE ia 80 young He speaks little Eng
lish. He had no good advisers. He de-
cided to take the violin with him to Europe
and 60 among his own people TO find out
what his right was. Well, I told him that
H. = obi 10 no vic LIN,
be his. SO here We are.
DR.. Svatek refused positively to speak
about the relations OF his nephew and
the latters former impresario, Rudolph
Aronson.
previous declaration. that the only thing
he cared for was to get his violin back.
He confirmed the statement Of DIR. Svatek
that Capt. Kaemrff refused to take the
responsibility Of bringing the violin back.