Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol3, 1919.djvu/107



Before the war the few scattered Czechs in Canada had not even thought of the possibility that they might have an all-Canadian organization of their own. But the same crying need that called into being organizations of Czechs and Slovaks in every Allied and neutral country has brought about the organization of the Canadian branch of the Bohemian National Alliance with headquarters in Winnipeg. As early as 1915 this body had branches in the prairie and Rocky Mountain provinces, and in 1916 other branches were organized in Ontario and the Maritime provinces, until now their number amounts to 19. For the last two years certificate of membership in the Bohemian National Alliance was satisfactory evidence to the Canadian authorities that the holder is an alien friend, and restrictions imposed upon other Austrian subjects did not apply to members of the Bohemian Alliance. Although the Czech settlers in Canada number only a few thousands and are scattered in small settlements from Cape Breton to Vancouver, they have furnished one company of volunteers for the Canadian army, not counting others that volunteered for the various local units of oversea forces. All these men are workingmen and farmers; they have not a single professional man among them, and for that reason are entitled to so much the more credit.

The scattered branch societies of the Bohemian National Alliance of Canada held a convention in Winnipeg on December 7 to 9. Following delegates were present: Frank Vejr for Frank, Alta; Frank Pail for Prague, Alta.; Leo Schatny for Marriott, Sask.; Joseph Hájek for a number of branches in Saskatchewan; Wm. Ruda for the Winnipeg branch of the National Alliance of Bohemian Catholics; Frank Kozel for the other Winnipeg branch, Václav Pátek for the Winnipeg beneficial society of Bohemians. Mr. Joseph Wagner was accredited as delegate for the local societies of Natal, B. C, Hamilton, Ont., Vancouver, B. C, Staffordville, Alta., River Hebert, N. S., and New Waterford, N. S.

Reports were rendered by the various officers; of special interest was the report of Sergt. Fibiger who was instrumental in recruiting several hundred Czech volunteers and himself served more than a year abroad. Officers elected for the coming year were: Joseph Wagner, president, V. Moravec, vice-president, Wm. Ruda, secretary, V. Blaha, treasurer, Frank Kozel and Jos. Dojáček, auditing committee. A telegram of greetings was read from Chas. Pergler, Czechoslovak commissioner in the United States; it was voted to ask Mr. Pergler for his co-operation in securing the speedy appointment of a Czechoslovak consul in Canada.