Page:America in the Struggle for Czechoslovak Independence (1926).pdf/71

RV 67

Allied cause. It is also a fact that they are as loyal an element of the American population as can be pointed out.

Most of the Czechs and Slovaks, whenever they could, have become American citizens. However, there will naturally be some who could not become naturalized here, and perhaps there may be some cases of neglect. But it seems that as a general proposition Czechs and Slovaks should not be classed as alien enemies and subjected to measures adopted against alien enemies, because, in the first place, this might result in a serious injustice to loyal people, and, in the second place, because most of them are skilled workers, and all those who are here should be used, especially in industries needed for a vigorous prosecution of the war, such as munition factories, etc. Unless the situation is handled carefully, a disorganization of industry is not impossible, with serious results.

We hope that at the proper time you will kindly bear these facts in mind. It may be said that in France Czechs and Slovaks are not considered as alien enemies. The French government looks upon the Czechoslovaks as a friendly nation. The Czechoslovak National Council, with headquarters in France, which we recognize as the supreme Czechoslovak body, has issued cards in the nature of passports which, upon being produced anywhere in France, are recognized as evidence of the loyalty and reliability of the bearer, as well as of the fact that he is not an alien enemy in the real sense of the term.