Page:Albert Beaumont - Heroic Story of the Czecho-Slovak Legions - 1919.djvu/51

 He declared that it was the duty now of every Czecho-Slovak to join the national army. Those who were still working in the factories were to leave them, and to make room for the Russians. “Let the Russians work while you go and fight at the front. It is a fight for liberty, and for the defence of our own country.“

We had lunch and dinner with M. Masaryk. In private conversation he explained his view to us officers. If the Russians now deserted their front it was our duty to take their places. It was sad for Russia, but we owed Russia a great deal, and in fighting for her we also fought for ourselves. We were to show the Russians that we were true soldiers. I returned to Borispol believing that before long I would be somewhere on the Russian front the once more fighting, but this time face to face with the Austrians and not as one of them, wearing their detested uniform.

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