Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol3, 1919.djvu/82

 in Paris for the purchase of food for Bohemia. Chicago gave over $100,000 toward this national tax or offering, Cleveland $40,000; all of it was collected in small sums, mostly in dollar bills. People who are very poor and some who are invalids came themselves and brought their offering; poor coal miners from Pennsylvania and small renters from Texas all gave more than they could afford. Farmers drove days and days over the muddy roads of Nebraska and Minnesota to visit every Czech farmer in their county. In North Dakota an old woman who is supported by public charity called in the collectors who wanted to pass her by and made them take 50c, all she had. Money came to Chicago headquarters from six hundred different local collecting centers. We are proud of our people, and America may be proud of such citizens who know how to give.

Our organization, even though very efficient, was always rather loose, for the policy was to leave as much freedom and dicretion to the various districts as possible. This resulted in the participation of large numbers of faithful and able workers, all volunteers. As to American politics, of course, the Bohemian National Alliance kept strictly aloof. Its attitude has been all along; absolute loyalty to the United States and the fullest participation by every citizen of Czechoslovak birth in all activities which may help to win the war. On July 4, 1918, when various immigrant races in this country manifested their devotion to the American Republic and its institutions, the Czechoslovaks took everywhere a prominent part and presented to President Wilson an address of loyalty which was read at every Czechoslovak celebration on that day along with the Declaration of Independence. Then again in September and October parades and celebrations were held to show the gratitude of our people for the recognition by America of Czechoslovak independence; the manifestatiions in Chicago, St. Louis, St. Paul, New York and elsewhere were particularly impressive.

Most impressive, however, were the wondeful receptions held in Chicago, New York and Cleveland for Masaryk upon his arrival in this country from Russia. It may be said that the size and enthusiasm of these demonstrations first made the American public realize, what a large figure Masaryk was.

The end of the year crowned this long campaign with victory; the Czechoslovaks are now free. Their brothers in America are proud that they have had a share in the fight and in the victory, and soon a delegation of the Bohemian National Alliance and the Slovak League will visit the land of their fathers to bring greetings and congratulations and to find out, what other help could be given to the newly born nation. The delegation will take with them a splendid flag to be presented to the 22nd Regiment of the Czechoslovak Army which fought bravely on the French front and which is composed principally of volunteers from this country.

Today, when the political struggles are over, the hearts of the Czechoslovaks in America, each of whom has relations in the old country, turn toward the great problem of giving some measure of relief to the misery brought on by the war, to the relief of the widows and orphans whose number reaches into millions.

Independent Bohemia. By Vladimir Nosek, J. M. Dent & Sons, London.—A great many articles and pamphlets have been written about the Czechoslovak people during the war, but only two books on that subject have been published so far. One is Dr. Edward Beneš, the present minister of foreign affairs of the Czechoslovak Republic, and the second is this book by Vladimir Nosek, secretary of the Czechoslovak Legation in London.

The new publication of 190 pages gives a very full account of the part played by the Czechoslovaks in the great war. The chapter discussing the Czech political parties before and during the war is a feature that was neglected in other accounts of the Czechoslovak cause, and the incorporation of numerous documents illustrating the revolutionary movement is particularly valuable. The story is brought down to the break-up of the Austrian empire and the day of liberation.

One criticism which suggests itself to readers on this side of the Atlantic is the omission of all reference to the work done by the Czechoslovaks in America. In his chapter on "The Military and Political Action of the Czechoslovaks Abroad" Mr. Nosek starts out to say: "The most important part was taken, however, by the Czechoslovak colonies in Bussia and America". And after telling what was done in Bussia he forgets to go back to America.

It is announced that a daily aerial service between Paris and Prague has been established. Czechoslovaks delegates to the peace conference will now be enabled to keep in touch with their government in Prague.