Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol3, 1919.djvu/279

 ment. I will not describe in detail my first view of Prague, for those of you who have not been there have all no doubt had far better pictures made for you by pen or camera, than I could ever hope to draw here. The next day we reported up at the Hradčany castle, and once again saw President Masaryk. Both of us could not help but think of the day we left him in Washington as he stood on the steps there to wave goodbye to us, when we started off for Siberia. Little did we think at that time that we should so soon meet him in Prague as the accepted President of a liberated people. And now we were standing in that famous old room in the castle on the hill, congratulating the President upon his wonderful successes, and telling him of the activities of our General in Siberia. In fact, we pinched ourselves to see if it could all be true.

For the next week or so we were requested to look over the town of Prague, to meet your people and get better acquainted with the Czecho-Slovaks as a nation, to tour the surrounding country by automobile that we might get a clearer idea as to the actual conditions of the country agriculturally, and better conception of the feeling of your people towards their government and a keener knowledge of the actual condition of the people themselves, not, as I have said before, their mental condition, but their physical. Let me say right here that the patriotism of Bohemia is no less ardent than that of my own country, for your men, women and children are behind their government as a single man. Everywhere all over the country the names of Masaryk and Štefanik are revered and honored.

Your people are working industriously in all lines as far as possible, under the straightened conditions which the war has imposed upon them, trying to bring their country to that place in the world where they may be an economically self-supporting nation. A little incident might be of interest to you. One morning rather early, while on the train going through Slovakia, Captain Wheeler and I arose from our berth so that we might miss none of the scenery past which our train was rushing. It was not yet full dawn, when suddenly Captain Wheeler pointed out to a field where we saw a man plowing. We looked at our watches, and found that it was half past three. Can one have any doubt as to the purpose of the people who possess such industry and energy?

You have received reports of the starving children and malnutrition of your people. They are all unfortunately true, though perhaps somewhat exaggerated. We will not indulge here in statistics, but will merely state that with the help of your own country a well organized force of American officers have been working to the best of their ability to aid in the distribution of the important foodstuffs such as milk, flour etc., which were so badly needed in the past, and which are now being supplied by America. When I left on May 15th, a steady stream of trains laden down with the precious materials, was coming in daily, and after the harvest in the fall fear of famine will be obliterated.

But before closing, I wish to add a little about our lost friend and adviser, General Štefanik.

On Sunday, May 4th, 1919, General Štefanik, Minister of War of the Czecho-Slovak Bepublic, was killed in an aeroplane accident at Bratislava, as he was returning to his people and parents, no longer the scientist and professor Štefanik, but patriot, diplomat and military leader, General Štefanik; he was coming back as one of the shining lights brought into view during the great world war, as a man loved by all who knew him and idolized by every Czechoslovak soldier, as a diplomat without a peer, a friend in the noblest sense of the word.

The country was draped in black. Not only the black that is seen by the eye, but the black of a mourning people. You and I have lost a friend, whose loss cannot but be emphasized to us as time goes on. And yet it may be truly said of him: “He is dead, but he liveth”, for the continued memory and inspiration of his life will have an undying influence upon us all.

An important event for Chicago will be the “All-American Exposition” to be held at the Coliseum on August 31. It is to present a careful survey of the cultural and artistic accomplishments of all the various races living on the hospitable soil of America. Czechoslovak art and work will be well represented at this exposition. Mr. Forsberg of the Chicago Art Institute is chairman, and on the committee is the well-known Bohemian artist Rudolph Ingerle.