The Washington herald., 1911-02-19
THE CAREER OF
COUNT. APPONYI

jects on which he is addressing the Amer
lean public are the problems presented by
the peace movement and the relations ex-
isung between Hungary and Austria.
The count is a member of the Hun
garian Parliament and The Hague Tri-
bunal of Arbitration and is privy coun-
seIor to Emperor Franz Joseph as King
of Hungary. He was born in Vienna in
1S46. His parents were Count George
Apponyi. late chancellor Of the empire.
and Countess Julia Sztaray, zeaIously re-
ligious, sanity woman, whose benevo-
lence and charitable activities still are
quoted in Hungary as examples.
Count Stephen Szechenyi, surnamed
the greatest Hungarian" ian ancestor of
Count Laszlo Szechenyi, who married
Gladys VanderbilD. always referred to
him as der kleine Gott Abb C'Albert,
the little God'). He received his first
education in an institution of the Jesuits
in Kalksburg, and later became a stu
dent of the Vienna, and subsequently of
the Budapest University. In 1872 the dis
trict OF Scent EndTe honored him with
a seat in Parliament. Ever since. during
the last forty years, he has been one Of
of the foremost leaders of Hungarian pO-
litical and social life.
But his activities are not confined to
Hungary alone. He has been member of
the Interparliamentary Peace Conference
ever since its organization, and as such
he delivered several speeches at the peace
conferences of Brussels, Christiania, St.
Louis, and London-speeches which COM
PEELED attention in all parts of the world
and were highly complimented by the
press. He was the chairman of the in
ternational conference held at Paris to
discuss the situation of the unfortunate
Beers.
The count is an enthusiastic admirer OF
America. His first American tour exer-
cised great influence upon him. 1t
strengthened his democratic convictions,
and it is highly probable that it was the
result of his American visit that upon
his return to Hungary he assumed the
leadership of the radical Kossuth party.
He has not accepted a single decoration
or order, despite the fact that he has
achieved everything which a statesman
in monarchial country can achieve. An
other fact proving his democracy is that
Apponyi." leaving out his title Of
count" His children also are educated
in accordance with democratic principles.
His son is not allowed to use his title,
nor are his daughters called countesses;
simply Miss Mary" and Miss Julia"
When. in 1904. he visited America, his
suite in the hotel, when he arrived at
New York. was all that could be de-
sired, but the count found it somewhat
too expensive. 1t seems he said, you
do not know the story which almost
every one tells in Europe. 1t is said that
some time ago two footpads attacked
a weil-dressed gentleman in New York.
One of the rogues pinned the arms of
the victim to his sides. and the other
began to search through his pockets. The
first thing he found was a bill of the
same hotel in which you hired rooms
for me. When he saw it he turned to
his companion and said: It's a bill from
the Hotel We might as well let
the poor devil go. 1 do not think he has
any money left for us after having been
in that place No doubt, my friend, if
you had known this you would not have
taken me to that hotel"
- lie S "lle, OlOIllOe Ap-
ronyi,. is the daughter of Count Alex
ander Mensdorf- Pouilly, Duke of Dit
and of the Countess
Alexandra Ditrichstein, and her brother
Is the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador to
Great Britain. She is a near relative of
the English royal family through her
grandmother, who was a sister of Queen
Victoria husband, the prince cOnsort.
Albert. In her girlhood she was one of
the favorites OF the exclusive Viennese
but to-day she is a true
lady.
, 1t is in his home, among the members
of his family. that the count finds him
self happiest His children fire at him
a whole volley OF questions. and the
count supplies the information the
are seeking with readiness
and pleasure. He even finds time to
inspect the lessons of his children, to
supervise their progress, and TO select
the books he desires them to read. He
lays great importance on having his
brought up in a democratic and
religious spirit.
The young count and countess attend
regular public schools. and their religious
education is in charge of a priest. The
count also makes it point to have his
learn German, English. and
French and music also is an important
subject of the curriculum. The count
himself is a great music lover He plays
the piano very well and is an ardent
supporter of every movement in con-
lection with music. He is particularly
fond of Wagner.
me extent of his correspondence is
,,aryaIntS "a
ances in all parts of the world. many
Of them having a hand in shaping the
iestinies of their respective nations, |
with whom he is in constant correspon-
-ence, and the most important English, |
french, German, and Italian papers often
contain articles from his pen.
The count passes the summer in his
astIe of Eberhard, where he received
visit from ex-President Roosevelt on
he latter's return from Africa. In oIden
lines the castle was the home of the
'aulin monks. and later II became the
property of the IlIeshazy and Balassa
cunts 1t is an ancient structure, one
tory high in front but two stories
ooking toward the park, with great mas
i've walls and arches. Although the cas-
le was modernized lately. it's furnishings,
With the exception of one or two draw
ng rooms. are of the sedate old feudaI
tyIe. Both the exterior and the in
eTior of the castle are the carefully pre-
erved mementos of an old oligarchic
family, and to this atmos-
here the comforts of modern life, such
IS elevators, electric lights, and par
uet floors, supply a strange contrast.
af he fS