New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-23

"Austro-H Hungarian Gazette and presi-
dent Of the Hungarian Association; AT pres
ent a practising attorney IN New YORK
City and prominent in Hungarian circles.
Modern civilization is passing through
the most awful crisis in the history o.
mankind. Amidst the roar Of cannon
and the clash Of arms we perceive
dimly the future emerging from the
catastrophe with new birth and a
new hope.
But meanwhile we are grasping for
a firm place where to plant our feet
during the tremendous cataclysm.
Where are the people of Hungarian
birth and descent TO range themselves?
The Hungarians that have found a
new home on American soil when their
old home across the sea had become
too inhospitable TO hold them any
longer?
Looking for a safe guide to point
out 10 them the path they should tol-
low. there looms up before their trou-
bled eyes the grand figure Of the most
glorious, the most patriotic, the most
elear-sighted man Hungary has pro-
dueed in modern time; Kossuth Lajos,
the matehless champion of Hungary's
aspirations.
When after the bloody suppression
of Hungary's struggle for independence
in 1s46-49 Kossuth came 80 the United
States as the honored guest of the
American people, he electrified the ma
ton by a series Of addresses unsur-
passed in eloquence and public spirited
craftsmanship. In these addresses he
set forth principles and policies almost
prophetic in their character, as true
to-day as they were nearly seventy
wears ago. Let US for moment listen
to that voice from the tomb:
Foresaw War on Autocracy
81 desire to see respected, by every
people in the world the sovereign right
of nv nation to dispose of its own do
nestle concerns, and therefore / would
not be an honest man if were not IN
every country in the world TO respect
those principles toward other men,
And again:
at is democracy which Is TO stand
the field in the next combat against
despotism: il is by our union, the union
of all the friends of true liberty, that
the hallowed cause of European ma
tionalities will ultimately triumph.
This combat of democracy against
despotism, so clearly foreseen by the
great Hungarian patriot, is now raging
upon a state Of almost unbelievable
magnitude. We are in it; we cannot
get away from il; we must take our
stand, either on one side or on the
other.
The Hapsburg dynasty, after rees-
tablishing it's rule over Hungary by
blood and iron; after sending scores OF
Hungary's noblest sons to the gallows
and prisons while driving untold thou
sands into exile, has now crowned its
stupidities and misdeeds by tieing Hun
gary's destinies to the reckless chariot
of the Hohenzollern. Hungary's blood
is poured out on a hundred battletields
for the dreams and schemes of the
German Junkers and capitalists hungry
for world power and world dominion.
To them Hungary is merely a pawn
on the chessboard on which they play
the game, the price Of which is to be a
gigantic empire of Central Europe con-
trolled from Berlin for their own bene-
fit.
For that the flower of Hungary's
manhood bleeds and dies to-day; for
that Hungarian women and children
starve in despair.
Already the German war party looks
beyond the war, scheming TO reduce the
Hapsburg dual monarchy to permanent
vassalage by means of a customs union
extending through Central Europe.
II is the same method by which Prus-
sis slyly and irresistibly finally alb,
sorbed the several states Of Southern
Germany, Bavaria, Wurtemberg, Hesse
and Baden.
Wide-awake Hungarians know full
well that such union would only pre-
pare the permanent political and eco
nomic hegemony of the Hohenzollern
empire. Once the economic indepen-
dence of Hungary is effectively Grip
pied. the industry and commerce of the
country would be at the mercy of the
far more efficient and ruthlessly
aggressive German competition. For at
least a whole generation Hungary's
men of enterprise and Hungary's work
ers would suffer in the unequal race.
People Loyal TO America
We Hungarians who have found cur
permanent home in America cannot be
expected to look on with equanimity
when we see ruin impending in our ma
tive country.
We are justified in warning our
brothers across the sea when we see
the spider at work cunningiy preparing
the web that is 10 enmesh and strangle
them beyond the hope Of escape.
At the same time we are mindful that
our main interest and our main duty
bind us 10 the land of our adoption.
Thousands upon thousands have
come here during the last seven dec
AIDES from the cities and plains of
Louis Kossuth's beloved land. Some
came because the rule of the Haps-
burg bureaucracy stihed the very
breath of liberty; others. because the
wide and beautiful land of their birth.
misgoverned and oppressed, no longer
afforded a chance for decent living.
In America We found what our ma
tive country denied us; we found
democracy and free chance TO earn a
livelihood. And so. in many parts Of
this wonderful land, Hungarians set
tied permanently, accepting America as
their foster mother. TO whom they cling
in filial devotion and love. Hungarians
in America are not plotting for the
benefit Of Hohenzollern or Hapsburg.
They have become Americans in spirit
and action. They stand where duty
and sentiment bid them 70 range them
selves: under the Stars and Stripes,
the banner that floats over their new
homes Treachery is abhorrent 20 the
character of the brave and fearless