Page:The Bohemian Review, vol2, 1918.djvu/17

 reasonable concern for our own cause and that of the Allies, argues for such effort as we can put forth to make the century-long struggle of these liberty-loving races at last victorious and a contribution no less to the freedom of the whole world.”

This resume of the discussion of Bohemian questions in the American press would not be complete without a mention of two articles contributed to the learned journals of this country by two members of the Bohemian National Alliance. The January number of the Yale Review has a contribution from Charles Pergler, vice-president of the Alliance, summarizing in a telling manner the arguments against the preservation of Austria-Hungary. The Journal for Race Development has an article by the editor of this monthly on “The Demands of the Bohemian People”.

Letters come frequently to the editor commending the work done by the Bohemian National Alliance and the Bohemian Review. Some of these letters are from Americans of standing and influence. None of them have been published so far, because the small amount of space in this modest monthly can be filled with matter of more general interest, and because to publish complimentary letters would smack of self-advertising.

Exceptions, however, must be made to every rule. A letter is at hand from a physician in far-off Saskatchewan that deserves a place in this record of the work of the Bohemian National Alliance. It shows that the efforts to gain friends for Bohemia, whether done by the leaders in Chicago or by farmers on the prairies, do bring results. But let the letter speak for itself. This Canadian doctor says:

“Through the courtesy of Mr. Joseph Virgil, a Bohemian of this city, I have been privileged to read from time to time the current copies of the Bohemian Review and other papers containing data of interest concerning the aspirations of the Czechoslovak people. I have for some time had it in mind to write you a few lines expressing my sympathy with your people, for whom I have always had an admiration and also to compliment you on what I consider the cleverest propaganda on record. In a sense you people of the Bohemian National Alliance are demonstrating the truth of the old saying that ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’. You could never have hoped by your own material powers to gain such a leverage of influence as you have apparently won through the influence of your Association and your Press Bureau. Prejudice has been removed, criticism disarmed, and approving interest awakened as a result of the spread of your organization. Great credit is also due to the many members of your society who have gone to much trouble to get acquainted with influential people and where misunderstanding existed to endeavor to remove it.

“In Canada our government has felt that safety demanded the disfranchisement of all citizens from enemy countries. I did not approve of this, but wiser men, perhaps, did. The average Canadian will make no distinction between the various races of Austria. They are all enemies to him. But I can see how in our own district surrounding this city sentiment is being formed decidedly favorable to Bohemians. Mr. Joseph Virgil has gone to much trouble to help forward this. Indeed it was his enthusiasm which led me to write several newspaper articles on the Bohemian fight for independence and also to interview the editors and discuss the matter. Your Bohemian Review is an ably managed paper and so well written that it is of interest to any thinking man.

“This evening I visited with several of my Bohemian friends and then gave an article to the morning paper stating that every Bohemian in the city had bought from one to three Victory bonds this week. I also took the men over to our citizens’ recruiting committee with whom we discussed your Alliance. These men, and indeed all Canadians, are glad to have a Bohemian representation in our Canadian army. My own young son is in the famous ‘Princess Pats’ and I have just received word of his being wounded. But we hope that our losses shall not be in vain, but that at the conclusion of the war human affairs may be straightened out and put on a more equitable basis.”

We are so intent on convincing America of the justice of the political demands of the Bohemian people that we run into the error of using only political arguments. They are the strongest and the most obvious, but we have others that should not be neglected. We can make friends for Bohemia by telling our American fellow-citizens of the art, culture, music and literature of Bohemia.

Two such attempts have been made recently, with considerable success. On November 14th a Bohemian Day was held at the University of Chicago. It was preceded by a two-day exhibit of Bohemian art and books. The evening itself was made enjoyable by splendid rendering of Bohemian music by Bohemian vocal and instrumental artists. The second occasion was an exhibit of embroidery and needlework at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York on December 9th and during the following week. Representatives of the Museum and of the New York Czechs and Slovaks gave addresses on the art of the Slavs.

Upon the occasion of the Bohemian Day at the University of Chicago a booklet was issued presenting briefly in sixty pages Bohemia’s contribution to civilization. It is got up in a very attractive manner with a colored title page and several beautiful illustrations. Prof. Zmrhal discusses Bohemia’s Contribution to Literature. Dr. Vojan writes on Bohemian Music. Vojta Beneš tells of the Bohemian Art and Dr. Fisher sets forth the ideals of the Sokols. The booklet is particularly appropriate for presentation to American friends of Bohemia. Copies may be obtained from the Bohemian National Alliance, 3639 West Twenty-sixth street, Chicago. Price, 50 cents.