New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-14
Aliens Violating U. S. Con-
6dence Will Be Dealt
With Severely
loyal" Says konta
Banker Asserts President S
Proclamation Will Help to
Preserve Allegiance

WASHINGTON. Dec. 13.-Attorney
General Gregory gave notice to-day
that because Austro-Hungarisns were
70 he treated in friendly spirit and not
subjected to rigid restrictions imposed
unon Germans, the public should not
oct the idea that these subjects OF an
enemy mower would not be carefully
watched and promptly dealt with II
suspected Of hostile activities.
Many Austro- IIungarians in different
sections of the country have been ar
rested since the declaration OF a state
of war, he said, and now are held, pend
ing investigation of charges against
them.
Frederic c. Pcnfeld, former Ambas-
eador to Austria Hungary, declared
Yesterday that President Wilson had
again demonstrated his "clear vision
and perfect understanding by his proc
lamation giving utmost freedom to the
peaceful subjects Of the Dual Mon
archy in this country.
Bankers, leaders of business, inter
national Legal authorities and officials
Of patriotic organizations here joined
in greeting the proclamation with
hearty favor.
Former Ambassador Penfeld said
president Wilson's proclamation
prescribing rules for the government
of the Austrians and Hungarisns in our
country. differing so radically from the
rules controlling the Germans, proves
mis- clear vision and perfect understand
in. Of the fairness Of mind OF the near
" two million subjects Of Emperor
Charles dwelling in America. a great
majority Of these aliens, certainly
those who are Hungarian or OF the
Sllv races, sympsthize with the
United States in the war, inasmuch as
they came TO our shores to escape the
very tyranny Of monarchicsl rule now
rampant in the Teuton empires.
at pleases me not to find the phrase
enemy alien once used in the PresI-
dents latest proclamation.
an my judgment, 90 per cent OF the
Austro- Hungarian workers in America
will be law-abiding throughout the
war. When any OF them misbehaVe
and endeavor TO forward Germany's
fendish programme of destruction,
espionage or propaganda, the suthori-
ties are certain to zeal with them IN
the most summary and severe manner.
Millions Against War
at should be borne II mind that
Uncle Sam has very few enemies
among the peoples Of the Dual Mon
archy-thc enmity is almost wholly
that Of the oligarchical government
harnessed in Berlin by agreements re-
spectine which the millions OF honest
Austrians, Hungarians and Bohemians
we're never consulted or had a voice
in MAILING"
Alexander Konta, the banker, who,
though OF Hungarian birth. has been
nrominent in American patriotic move
ments for a score of years, said: 49,,
"The proclamation OF President WI,
son is lust the sort OF liberal-minded
announcement which one would eN-
pect from him. 1t recognizes IN INC
broadcast spirit the peculiar and DIT
ficuIt position in which Austro-Hun-
carians arc placed by the declaration
of war. and. at the same time, shows
them that Just so long as they recog-
MIC the spirit and letter OF our law
tbov will not be interfcred With.
"Such an attitude, to my mind' ulS-
nlavs breadth OF view, common sense
and real Amerlcsnism: IL eApreeSee
the kind of liberty which the peoples
from foreign countries have learned 70
rvnect from America, and the response
20 i will be immediate and general.
II is a glorious call TO loyalty. 1t puts
every Austrian and hungarian AT ohee
upon his honor, and, in the wlsest way,
IL secures the country from the very
dangers which less statesmanlike
rrorouncemCnt would have Drought
Agrees With President
:. Stanwood Mcnken. head Of the Ma
tjonal Security League, said:
81 think the Presidents attitude, eX-
pressed in the proclamation, entirely
proper and in line with his policy Of
warning, not against peoples, but gov
crnments. The distinction made be-
tween Austrians and Germans is just,
because Austria is a victim of German
major force Just as much as Belgium,
and the people Of Austria are going
to awaken some day and realize the
fact"
Oscar 6. Straus, chairman OF She
Public Service Commission, said;
81 heartily approve OF what the
President is doing"
z. II. odterbridge, president Of the