Page:The heart of Europe; an address delivered by Charles Pergler in Washington, December 11, 1916, at a conference of oppressed or dependent nationalities (IA heartofeuropeadd00pergrich).pdf/39

 the Slavs have never been noted for attempts to impose their language upon other nationalities. Russia is not an exception to the rule. If we stop to think about it, it is immediately recognized that the reactionary policies of Russia have been due largely to the Junkers from Russian Baltic Provinces who are of German descent. The factors thus enumerated, the right of any nation to independence once its possibility is demonstrated, the necessity of dissolving Austria in the interests of permanent peace, I believe to be decisive of the merits of the Czech case. I would not even fear the joining of purely German parts of Austria to the German Empire. This would carry the principle of nationality to its logical conclusion. It would perhaps strengthen Germany absolutely, but very seriously weaken it relatively. To the German Empire would be added a few million Germans, but it would be deprived of the support of a much larger number of Slavs, who are being made use of to fight the battles of their bitterest enemy, and one bent upon their subjugation, even upon their destruction. The Bohemian question is simplicity itself when we consider the problem of small nationalities in Europe generally, and when we realize that to regenerate Europe means also the reconstruction of Poland, Serbo-Croatia, and the freeing of the French and Danes in Germany. Yet, whether difficult or easy, these questions must be faced unflinchingly. Again, let it not be forgotten that the Czech question is one of restoration; that the Czechs are asking for something which de jure they never surrendered. The Hapsburgs were called to the Bohemian throne