Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol3, 1919.djvu/267



Two days before the first contingent of 100 Czechoslovak invalids sailed from New York on the last lap of their long journey home from Siberia, another and larger contingent landed on July 3 at San Diego. Over one thousand veterans of a hundred fights in Russia and Siberia, some of them incapacited by wounds, all beyond the age of 42, were brought to the United States on the steamer Nanking. Their transport was arranged by the War Department and the cost of it will be paid by the Czechoslovak government. The contingent was in command of Major Vladimir Jirsa.

A stirring reception was provided for them by the citizens of San Diego. There are few Czechoslovaks living there, but the entire city turned out to do honor to the men who threw back the Bolsheviki from the Pacific beyond the Urals. The men were quartered at Camp Kearny, a few miles from San Diego, but the citizens furnished automobiles to carry the men between the city and the camp. The day after their arrival, on July 4, General Strong, commandant of the camp, addressed the Czechoslovaks, expressing his appreciation of the part they played in the struggle for world liberty; suitable response was made by Major Jirsa, and the men themselves then demonstrated to the American soldiers, how majestic could be singing by large bodies of soldiers. On July 6 a celebration was held in memory of John Hus, and two days later the whole city witnessed a Czechoslovak military parade, worthy of veterans who fought for five years.

From Camp Kearny the transport proceeded by way of New Orleans and Atlanta to Washington. On July 18 they had the honor of being reviewed by President Wilson, in their estimation the greatest living man after President Masaryk. It was a pity that a heavy downpour interfered with the parade; but in spite of rain the East portico of the Capitol was crowded, when the men fell in and were addressed by Col. V. S. Hurban, Czechoslovak military attache in Washington. In heavy rain the elderly veterans marched along Pennsylvania Ave. to the White House grounds, where they were received by an American guard of honor and by hundreds of their countrymen from Baltimore, New York, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and other cities. Sokols in uniforms and girls in national costumes presented a striking picture to the Washingtonians who seldom get to see a Czechoslovak celebration.

At the White House President Wilson was awaiting them, surrounded by a distinguished company—Mrs. Wilson, Secretary of War Baker, Secretary of the Navy Daniels, Gen. March, chief of the general staff, assistant secretary of State Phillips, military attaches stationed in Washington, congressman Sabath and the Czechoslovak diplomatic representative Chas. Pergler. The president said:

“It gives me pleasure to review this detachment of your valiant army. Though we have been far away, we have been moved by admiration of the services you have rendered under the most adverse circumstances. At the moment when adversity came to the armies with which you were fighting, you declined to be daunted by circumstances and retained your gallant hope. In the midst of a disorganized people and subject to influences which worked for ruin you consistently maintained order within your ranks and by your example helped those with whom you came in contact to re-establish their lives.

“Future generation will happily record the influence for good which you were privileged to exercise upon a large part of the population of the world and will accord you the place which you have so courageously won.”

It was evident that Mr. Wilson was deeply moved by the sight of the wounded and the greybeards who had played such a strik-