The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-30
BARON Is SEIZED
AS ENEMY AGENT
John Madrasz Planned to Pro-
mote Trade With Dual Mon
archy After War.
GOT RICH AMERICANS AID
Arrested on Technical Charge
Of Holding Papers Belong
ing to Austrian Bank.
lot RICH AMERICANS AID

Carefully made arrangements TO pro-
| mote trade between this country and
Aust ria Hungary after the war, plans
which were outlined. at least, before war
was declared on that country by the
| United States, are shown In letters ana
papers seized yesterday when John
Mad<asz of Gil West 171th street was
arrested after indictment.
| Msdrasz. an Austrian. obtained his
final citizenship papers in July, 1917,
few weeks after he had been IN cor
| respondence with Austrian officials with
a view to promoting this post war trade
alliance He was able to do his work
through his connection with the Trans
atlantic Trust Company. the Austrian
bank through which Bolo Pasha was paid
the money with which he tried TO cor
rupt French newspapers, and he Is now
held on a technical charge OF retaining
papers that are the property OF the pahk
Army Agents Assist.
Army intellisence Officers were pres
ent when Madrasz was arrested at his
home by Detective Cunnin OF the District
Attorneys office. They said he was a
former confidential adviser OF the Aus
tro-Hungarian Embassy at Washing
ton and that they believe his attempts 10
build up trade relations with Austria
Hungary after the war with the aid or
group Of American bankers and business
men IL part OF the German trade plot
which Is being unearthed.
One Of the most astonishing things re-
vealed by Madrasz's correspondence is
that he was evidently hoping to organize
banks, transportation and steamship
companies with the aid Of manufactur-
ers, importers and bankers OF this coun-
try and of considerable standing In their
communities. Afadrasz congratulates
himself on being able to ally them with
him as their financial means are large
and their character and ability is OF the
very highest
The letter was written on May 81,
1917, and was addressed 20 Baron Erick
Zwledinck Won Suddenhorst. former
Austrian Consul In this city. It read :
MI DEAR BARON ZwEpINcK May I
ask the liberty to put before you for
your kind consideration recital OF the
following facts:
II have been fortunate enough
through various condolences and intro
auctions, the details OF which L nave
already stated TO Consul-General Girl
vicic. to have had the opportunity to
put myself in connection with several
American gentlemen of the very high
means, which are very considerable and
run into millions OF dollars. and as to
| their character and ability, which Is of
the very highest.
These gentlemen constitute a group Of
manufacturers, importers and bankers,
with the very best OF business connec-
tons In New York and throughout the
United States. They have expressed to
me a willingness after the conclusion OF
peace between the United States and
| Austria Hungary and the restoration OF
the traditional good relations between
these two countries to participate in
| the reconstruction work that will I'M
doubtedly follow the war in Austria
Hungary.
Introduced Them to Nuber.
Some months ago when the relations
| between Germany and the United States
we're still friendly had the honor and
pleasure of introducing the gentlemen of
the group to which I refer 10 Consul
General Nuber. At that time II was ar~
ranged that l should have the pleasure
tc introduce these gentlemen 10 your
| self and to his EXcellency the Ambas-
sador. and I was prevented from doing
this only by circumstances which de-
| veloped In the interval and which were
OF course peyOnu my control.
BE this as II may 1t stlll remains n
| fact that these gentlemen are In a re-
ceptive mood to enter into negotiations
after the resumption OF friendly rela-
| tons and 1t therefore rests entirely
with you rs TO whether you wish TO
use this unusual opportunity and take
| advantage of their willingness to em-
power me to proceed on your behalf.
The very best services that l am able
| to give are at your command for this
work and any information that you
may wish me TO obtain ] would be glad
| 10 furnish. Awaiting the pleasure OF n
| reply from you and with the utmost
respect ] am very faithfully yours
Signed John Skotthy."
Baron Jean Skotthy is name by
! which Madrssy was known 10 tho Aus
TRANS at the time he had secured a
| position with the Transatlantic Trust
| Company, representing himself as an Of
| fcial Of the Hungarian Farmers League.
| Ills correspondence also showed that his
purpose in organizing his companies
would he to convey natives OF Austria
Hungary in this country back to their
homelands after they had been per-
suaded by his propaganda that they
would be better of there. He planned
not only 10 help make up the man power
| loss of Austria in the war by this emil
grafton but also to use the money Of
! the Austrians here to help in the work
OF reconstruction after raw materials
had been procured from tho United
States.
Madrasz had made 1t appear in his
letters that he was well received by Col.
| Theodore Roosevelt. former Amba ssado
| Gerard. Nicholas Murray Butler, Sam
uel Cntermyer and +. Cunliffe-Owe