Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 1998. [Vol. 5.] Eger Journal of American Studies. (Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 25)

Book reviews - András Tarnóc: The Return of the Holy Crown. (Giant Tibor: A Szent Korona amerikai kalandja 1945-1978. )

questioned by Kansas Senator Bob Dole's petition seeking the transfer of the decision making power to the Senate on the contention that the actual return of the Holy Crown, should be dealt with by a treaty subject to the "advice and consent"of the upper house of Congress. Another petition by Nebraska Senator Carl T. Curtis asserted that the Holy Crown as a booty extracted from a vanquished foe was the property of the United States giving jurisdiction over its disposal to the Senate. The United States Supreme Court rejected both claims thereby affirming Carter's formal powers. Congressional opponents and proponents represented the Washington audience of the Carter decision. The opponents included Ohio representatives Louis Stokes and Mary Rose Oakar, and Senator Bob Dole from Kansas. Indeed, the Oakar letter vigorously objecting to the return decision was, signed by 40 representatives. Also, as Giant reports, the protesters included the Mayors of Boston, Honolulu, Pittsburgh and Cleveland and the governors of Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, and Missouri. Furthermore, the Carter administration had to face impassioned protests and demonstrations organized by Hungarian-American groups as well. Carter largely by gaining the support of such outstanding figures of the Hungarian-American community as Ferenc Nagy and Béla Király, however, was able to reach his goal thereby preserving his professional reputation. While almost simultaneous negotiations facilitating the return of the Panama Canal to the Republic of Panama resulted in several concessions on the part of the administration, in this case, the presidential initiative for the returning of the crown sailed through unscathed. The success of Carter's effort was also assisted by the acquisition of the support of such key figures as Senator Joseph Biden, New York Representative Ted Weiss, than the only Hungarian-born member of Congress, and of Pope Paul VI. According to the author, both sides viewed the decision as a success. Americans cherished the fact that Hungary became one of the most democratic countries in the Eastern Block displaying a partial commitment to democracy and promoting religious freedom and tolerance. The return of the crown jewels was presented as a device to encourage the reinforcement of Hungarian national consciousness and the expansion of the freedom of religion. Carter describing Hungary as a nation open and receptive to values Americans hold dear was able 138