Page:America in the Struggle for Czechoslovak Independence (1926).pdf/26

RV 22

us, in this land of liberty, to protest against this barbarous and for us fratricidal war. Let us foment the fire of enthusiasm in Czech hearts. The new age must bring freedom to Bohemia.

In a statement issued by a preliminary organization on August 9, 1914, and printed in the Czech press, the following appears:

It is possible that the present storm will uproot the old state system and give rise to larger freedom and independence. We must think even of this possibility and with opportune help show that we are worthy descendants of the nation and worthy of its former glory.

These meetings and discussions were followed by numerous others, and on September 18, 1914, there appeared the first manifesto of the Bohemian National Alliance. This declaration is important, since it was formulated and published before any contact with European leaders could be established, and because it proves that even the founders of the movement in America were quite clear as to their ultimate objectives. The purposes of the Alliance, among other functions, are defined as follows:

By effective propaganda to work for the information of the American and the world public concerning the historical, natural, and human desires and