The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1920-11-13
AUSTRIAN ART
works TAKEN
BY ITALIANS


The government thus far has re-
fused TO make public the secret
agreement by which DIR. Kari Renncr.
then chancellor. agreed to give to
Italy many valuable works OF art,
manuscripts and historical relies not
provided for surrender In the treaty
Of 81. German. despite demands by
art associations In influential per.
sons for that information.
The history OF the matter Is In
teresting and The Associated Press
has been able to learn from authori-
tative sources some OF It's details.
While the guarded admissions OF the
government generally are phrased In
the future tense as to the delivery OF
these articles. as a matter OF fact
that are all understood to be now In
Italian possession.
Their seizure began when the
Italian armistice commission. under
General Scgre, first arrived In
Vienna In February OF last year. tho
contention OF the commissioners
being that under the treaty OF the
war Of 1855 these treasurers should
long since have been delivered.
Among the articles taken by Cen
eral SeGree were the famous tapes
tries OF Montua and as regards them
the Austrians conceded title and
assisted In their delivery.
Then began the removal OF pic
lures from the Hofmuseum and
academy OF fine arts which had been
brought TO Vienna In 1916 and is3s.
These had been stored In . church
In Venice. having been collected
from many churches In the Venetian
territory. II was done by order OF
Francis !. then sovereign OF Venice
which was at that time part OF the
Austrian empire. The Austrians
bring forward supplementary
treaty to that OF 1866 regarding
these objects. intended TO clear title.
They render this clause as follows:
Austria will keep (gardera) the pic.
lures exported In is2s which his ma
jesty the emperor sometime ago gave
to the academy Of fine arts in vien-
ma and to other galleries In the en-
pire."
II 10 around the word 'gardera' the
Italians center their argument for
possession, contending Il means
take In custody" or for safe keep
ink" not possession or gift. The
Austrians say they have documents
In the state archives. to show that In
return the emperor gave to Italy pre-
sents. OF art works far In excess Of
value to those In controversy. among
them being the priceless collections
Manfrin and Bossi.
The Italians also took from the
national library or other places addi-
tional treasurers such as autographs.
musical books. and tree manuscripts
worth several millions OF dollars. one
OF which "The Genesis OF VIENNA"
Is said to be the most valuable late
Roman manuscript In existence.
With all these objects safe In
Italy. when the peace conference be-
gan in Paris the Italians advanced
further claims for works OF art from
Austria. demanding the pick OF pic
lures from the national gallery in
Vienna and virtually all the bronzes
and statues made In Italy or that
ever were In Italy. The object thus
covered were estimated to be worth
abouth 1000. 900 900 gold francs.
Their claims were rejected. how
ever. by the conference and then be-
gan the Italian effort 10 effect a spe-
ciai treaty with Austria to obtain
her end. The negotiations proceed
ed until this spring when DR.. Rem
ner finally signed II on the occasion
OF the Italian visit. Under It's term
General Segre's seizures are legllized
and a large number OF valuable OBJ
Iects are ceded in addition.
The smost important are the re-
liquary OF Cardinal Bess1rione and
the Cross OF ST. Theodore. The
first named IL a remarkable speci-
men OF the Venetian gothic. gold
smiths ar, Of the 18th century and
the other unique piece OF Bystan-
tine goldsmithy. In terms OF dollars
they are said 70 be beyond price.
The agreement also gives TO Italy a
quantity OF the Renaissance. includ-
ing Donatello's Angel Playing the
Tambourine" and two bronzes by An
tico. The whole OF the famous Duke
de Este collection Is included.
In return Italy renounces her
claims 10 certain objects OF more or
less value. among them the corona
tIon garments OF the old German en-
Derors. Finally Italy promises her
help TO save the Austrian collec-
tions from the claims OF other pow
ers under article 1876 OF the treaty
OF st. Germain.