Karolyi Unmuzzled

Charles E. Hughes, Secretary of State, counting the remaining hours of his term of office, addressed a letter to Senator Borah, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was replying to a letter requesting information as to how and why Count Karolyi, past-President and present-exile of the Hungarian Republic had been forbidden the right to speak in public during a visit to this country (TIME, Mar. 2). Many observers saw an ironic justice in the fact that one of the last communications of the erudite Secretary was addressed to the self-determined man from Idaho whom they had described as the thorn in the Secretary's side--the thorn which was driving him from office. As to the authority for muzzling Count Karolyi, Mr. Hughes cited, chapter and verse, an act of May 22, 1918 (reaffirmed in 1921), whereby it was declared unlawful for any alien to "enter or attempt to ... enter the United States except under such reasonable rules, regulations and orders and subject to such limitations and exceptions as the President shall prescribe," an authority which the President delegated to the Secretary of State. As to why the restriction was imposed on the Count, Mr. Hughes continued: "Application was made for a visa on the passport of Count Michael Karolyi for the sole purpose that he might come to this country on a temporary visit to see his wife who had fallen ill here. Count Karolyi was informed that the visa would be granted for the purpose stated on the understanding that he would not engage in political activities while in this country. The Department is advised that Count Karolyi expressed his entire willingness to accept try's arrangement and gave his assurance accordingly. "It is assumed that the members of your committee are acquainted with the history of Count Karolyi; and I need only add that the information in the possession of the Department of State, which it would not be compatible with the public interest to make public, made it advisable that this precaution should be taken. . . . "I am, my dear Senator Borah," concluded the Secretary--and he might have added "for the last time" "Very sincerely yours, (Signed) "CHARLES E. HUGHES." Two days after this letter was writen, the State Department took occasion to notify Count Karolyi through a friend that it would not consider it a breach of his promise if he attended a luncheon given for him and Countess Catherine by the American Civil Liberties Union on Mar. 7, and if he there made a reply to his critics who, especially in the Hungarian newspapers* of this country, have been berating him while he dared not reply.

--Although the Hungarian press attacked him, the English-printing newspapers of the country, led by The New York Wold, came to Karolyi's relief by vigorous counter attacks upon the State Department for its action. (c)International