Page:Bohemia; a brief evaluation of Bohemia's contribution to civilization (1917).pdf/65

 in Bohemia the gymnastic societies were promptly dissolved by the Austrian Government as hostile to it, while in the United States many Sokol societies had to close their physical training classes, because every younger member joined the American Army.

The great emergency for which Tyrš tried to prepare his people has come. The very existence of the Czech people is in the balance. But the Sokol idea has proved its soundness. In the forefront of the determined opposition to German tyranny are men trained in the Sokol halls of the Bohemian cities. The leaders of the people at home, men charged with high treason to Austria, because they are fired with love of their own land, the men who led Bohemian regiments over to the Russians, the heroes who created a Czecho-Slovak army in Russia, the workers who have organized the BohemainBohemian [sic] National Alliance of America, are nearly all Sokols.

Will the Bohemian nation perish or will it emerge free from the awful, bloody contest? The Bohemians fight for their freedom and for the liberty of mankind. But they are not strong enough to win the fight alone. They look to the Allies, above all, to America, with hope and confidence.

One great president of the United States led his people into a great war in order that six million black people should become their own masters. Another great president brought the United States into the greatest war of all ages, that all nations of the earth might be free to live their own lives. The Czecho-Slovak nation of twelve millions looks to the United States and to President Wilson for help in their struggle to become free from the yoke of the Hapsburgs.