The Washington times., 1923-03-11
j. S. MUST DISPOSE
Of RARE ART WORK
Valuable Collection, One OF
Best in Central Europe, Seiz-
ed as Enemy Property.
CAME HERE FOR EXHIBIT
Found by Custodian In Firetrap
In San Francisco, Nations
Obligation Clear.
CAME HERE FOR EXHIBIT
BY Universal Service.

The Alien Property Custodian
holds a treasure in rare art works
without knowing how to dispose of
them, 1t was announced yesterday.
They were Brought to the United
states for exhibition at the
Panama-Pacific Exposition and
seized as enemy property when war
was declared.
WORKS ARE VALUABLE.
The collection comprises painting
sculpture and embroideries and Is
said to be one of the most valuable
assortments of central European
art ever brought to this country.
The art objects were loaned at the
solicitation of representatives OF
the United States, and Custodian
Thomas w. Miller Is anxious that
they be returned to their former
owners, or be sold in American
markets and the money realized
In the exhibit is the wonderful
collection of the great Finnish
artist, Axel Gallen-K allela, which
was brought here from an exhibi.
ton in Rome; the collection Of
Count Giula Andrassy consisting of
sculptures and enbroideries valued
at 10000: two portraits by Horatio
Gaigher, the Austrian artist; one of
Pope Benedict XIV and one Of Pope
Pope Plus x; landscapes and por.
traits by KarllovslSi: the PAINTINGS
and enbroideries OF Robert Ber-
envy; two portraits by John Quincy
Adams: the Karoly Lotz and the
Adolf Loos, OF Vienna. The whole
has a pre-war valuation of $780, 900.
FOUND IN SAN FRANCISCO.
The pictures were discovered among
alien property on recent visit OF
Custodian Miller to San Francisco.
house. Arrangements were made to
have them installed in the fireproof
Palace of Fine Arts. They were
adequately insured, and the Govern
ment has again assumed the re.
sponsibility OF getting them returned
No action can be taken, it was said.
until some one in authority issues
the necessary instructions to the
Alien Property Custodian.
There can be no doubt as to the
obligation of the United States to re-
turn these pictures" said Miller
'"The Panama. Pacific Exposition
management gave specific assur
ances and entered into an agreement
with the collectors and artists who
were solicited to loan works of art to
pay all the expenses of transporta
ton and insurance of the exhibit
against all risks to and from America
and assumes full responsibility for It's
safe return to Budapest
SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION.
Evidence that the United States
Government gave its sanction to
this agreement il disclosed through
the fact that the naval collier Jason
was placed at the disposition of the
exposition managers and 1t was on
this vessel that the collection was
transported to this country. These
circumstances would appear to ex.
empt the articles in this exhibit
from being included in enemy-owned
property within the meaning Of the
trading with the enemy act
Miller suggests that on account
of the financial situation in Buda.
pest and Vienna that 1t may prove
advisable to hold a sale of the art
works in the United States. Before
this can be dene. however, consent
must first be obtained from the
owners. Efforts are now being
made to do this,