Page 120 [120]
BALÁZS VENKOVITS
957
upon the false hopes that they would be the exception to the general rule.
Zágonyi also highlights that there was a clear link between US restrictions
and Canadian emigration: "Ihe majority of those wishing to go to America
cannot get a permit to enter the United States due to immigration restriction.
However, as they have already decided to emigrate, and many have supposedly
received favorable news already, their self-confidence and the opportunity for
immigration lead them to Canada.” What is more, he devotes a separate
section to the topic of illegal attempts of entering the United States from
Canada, and highlights that American restrictions are taken seriously, and
illegal border crossing is a difficulty not worth the risk.
The former soldier constantly focuses on hardship including the threat
posed by agents, the climate, the lack of language skills, etc., and warns
Hungarians: “Despite the dark shadow of poverty and destitution at home,
everyone should think twice before deciding to emigrate to Canada under
the current circumstances. Emigration makes the head of family a homeless
wanderer and tears apart even the most intimate ties with family members
and friends for a long time if not forever.”’” Zägonyi’s activities aimed at
stopping Hungarian emigration to Canada were not limited to the publication
of his book. In a letter written in January 1927, he contacted the heads of
Hungarian counties, presented his book as a “warning sign on the path of
our people wishing to leave behind the homeland.” He argues that the
book itself has also been approved as a schoolbook, it is suitable to fight the
misconceptions about Canadian emigration, and may be used successfully
by public authorities as well. He also announces his tour of the country
“to possibly reduce the emigration fever by way of sharing my experience
before the start of this year’s emigration campaign.” He intended to use the
income from his book to fund such a nationwide tour.”
The detailed schedule of the lecture tour was also sent to the counties,
according to which between March and May 1927 Zagonyi visited several
counties most affected by emigration and newspapers across the country also
reported about the free lectures. In February 1927, Zemplén also called the
attention of its readers to the lectures:
Samuel Zagonyi retired lieutenant colonel delivers six lectures in Zemplén County
about the conditions in Canada. The most knowledgeable expert of the Canadian
question [...] in his nationwide propaganda tour (during which he pulls the veil
57 Ibid., 71-72.
58 Ibid., 70-71.
5% Ibid. 75.
6° Hajdü-Bihar County Archives, IV.B. 406/B, 15647/1929. Translation is mine.
61 Ibid.
According to the county records, Bihar County, for example, bought 70 copies from the book.
* 118 +