Page:The Bohemian Review, vol2, 1918.djvu/128



The German papers of Vienna bring regularly reports taken from the French and English papers on the progress of the campaign for Czechoslovak independence, and from these papers the Czech periodicals of Bohemia and Moravia take over the reports, of course without any comment, and thus encourage their people in their determination to oppose their masters.

From the “Lidové Noviny” we quote two statements showing how well the people of Bohemia are informed as to the progress of the movement in the Entente lands. This paper translates from the “Neue Freie Presse” a leading article taken from the LontonLondon [sic] Times on the reception of the Prince of Wales at Rome. Half of this article deals with the part taken by the Czechoslovak troops in the reception. The Times article is quoted in the Czech paper as follows:

“Among the important incidents of the Italian celebration was the fact that the two Czechoslovak companies were among the military detachments which received the Prince of Wales. These men are destined to go to the Italian front. At the celebration in Augusteum there was present a group of Jugoslav officers. These represent the oppressed nations of Austria-Hungary and gave the celebration a special coloring. The Times declares that the English are unjustly reproached because they act coolly towards the nationalistic aims of the Italians and other oppressed peoples of the Monarchy. Lord Robert Cecil in one of his speeches makes it clear that the British Government considers itself bound to support these nations in their fight for liberty. In the same article of the Times there is also a reference to the celebration in the Augusteum: it is stated that during the speech of the Prince of Wales one of the boxes was occupied by the staff of the Czechoslovak brigade and that a group of Jugoslav officers sat in the orchestra.”

In another issue of the same Czech paper there is a report taken from the London Times, translated from the “Frankfurter Zeitung”, stating that the Czech and Jugoslav movement in Austria is arousing great interest in the United States. Professor Masaryk, president of the Czechoslovak National Council, is at present in America. He is endeavoring to secure the official approval of the United States for the nationalistic aims of the oppressed Austro-Hungarian peoples. According to the Times Masaryk has convinced many prominent Americans that “Austria is the weak spot in the German armor” and as long as Austria is intact the Kaiser’s command is good from the Riga to the Persian Gulf, but if Austria goes to pieces the victory of the Entente is won.

The Czechoslovak National Council has a branch in America consisting of 16 members. This includes a mighty organization which counts among its membership the greatest number of Americans of Czech and Slovak descent, numbering about one million and a half. The Bohemian element, long before America entered the war, took a decided stand against Germany. Today the Czechs enlist in great numbers in the army. The Czechs also developed great political activities to “enlighten” the American people. Their pamphlets assure them that an understanding with Austria is impossible, because Austria is merely a German colony and denationalizes non-German and non-Magyar peoples. This propaganda meets with great success. America has come to the conclusion that Count Czernin’s policy was dishonorable and was intended to deceive President Wilson.”

It is easy to imagine how happy are the readers of Czech papers, when they come across reports of this kind.

While the Czech people are holding tremendous manifestations in favor of complete independence of their people, and while the cities and corporations are adopting resolutions endorsing the same program the Germans of Austria are also holding mass meetings to demonstrate their undying fidelity to Germany. At a great VolgstagVolkstag [sic] or mass meeting held in the city of Nový Jičín resolutions were adopted demanding a closer union with Germany, particularly a closer military union and the establishment of a common food administration for Germany and the Dual Monarchy. The resolutions also protested against the erection of a Czechoslovak and Jugoslav State and pledged the Germans of Moravia to the most determined opposition to any such plans. The meeting favored further the introduction of the German language into all the dealings of the state officials with the people and condemned the “tolerant” attitude of the Government towards the “treason” of the Czechs.

A similar mass meeting was held in the city of Salzburg, the capital of one of the crown lands of Austria. The principal speaker, Irresberger, said “If it should come to happen that Austria would fall to pieces, why should we Germans, especially we of Salzburg, be afraid of it? If Salzburg is again attached to the main body of the German nation as it has been for a thousand years, it will be a part of Bavaria. What will become of the Salzburgers under Bavarian rule? At war time they will know definitely what they are fighting for, and at peace times they will not have Czechs among their officials, gendarmes and foresters; they would not have to furnish horses, milk, butter, lumber, iron, copper, etc. and still be looked upon as a step-child of the empire.”