BOHEMIA FREED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17576, 18 March 1919, Page 7

BOHEMIA FREED

THE CZECHO-SLOVAKS. DREAM OF CENTURIES BECOMES A REALITY. The' hour ol thu Oxscho-Siovaks has struck. freedom and utterly ior ±>olienua ao breaking tuiougu tne ages' long, grey diiwii, as iuo cany lnonuug- sun, eaing Uie hopes and warming too hearts ol tuo people in Uwsti iiiiiub. j.iio dreuiiw ol coutuuus arc now bouig reaiistd Vwnfos K J. ,, . I-'ranuior, an the i\ew iork laerald). 'J- his licuo group, jiuw as a louiiuiing among naiioiib, nik, gained an euviawo position ni tho estimation oi tho world through ids aciiievc-niums m tlus war. xiow aio tneso heretoiore unbeiievablo successes at-' tamed'/ is tho qucsuon most irequenuy propounded, invariably speculated on but seldom satislaoionly answered. It is everywhere conceded that the Czechs are possessed oi: that &tago of education and nubhc opinion in wmcli these people can bo conscious ot a national governmental responsibility: A nation is u, belief a faith a devotion to fundamental things. It is the belief in their just cause, it is faith in those principles of humanity so earnestly urged by iius, Comenius, and Czech scholars of subsequent periods, and it is devotion to their language that closely knits these, people as, a nation under their ancient standard of white and red. Tho Czechs are people of profound' ideals, wluch they have always nourished, wo soundiy patriotic and of high culture, which was acquired through their own endeavours in spite of Austro-Ilun&irian official eflorts to strangle their development and impede their progress. While" the autocratic government attempted to inoculate them with tho principle of the Nietzsche and lreitschke schools, the Czechs remained loya.l and true to those fundamental truths so ably advocated by Hus Comenius, and other scholars of Bohemia. iho ruling classes of Austria-Hungary for centuries have essayed to "Kultur" the Czechs Yho catchwords of this coterie havo been, as tersely expressed by "Woltman, "Teutons are the aristocracy of hum t anl , ty; lias the characteristics ?f t' ie Teuton race is superior. ,. The Czechs have had the sad and bitter experience of understanding the effect and meaning of 'Teutonic superiority," and as a result have persistently and consistently resisted its influence, preferring their own culture, thereby remaining outside of the sphere and realm of "Teutonic aristocracy." At the zenith of their fifteenth century glory the Czechs numbered, about five million souls. By the middle of the seventeenth century they were reduced to a mere handful, less than 800,000, through tho application of a process then called "Germanlsation,' now better known as "Kultdr." In numbers the nation was reduced to absolute negligibility, and in force to almost total impotence, but it was not destroyed. Its language survived, therefore tho nation was not dead—it was merely dazed, left in a comatose stato. Subsequently it was revived with a greater flame of noble national spirit, with a renewed culture and as a united people. CONSTANT WARFARE.

The history of Bohemia is one long'and continuous story or constant wars between the blav and the Teuton. Some of the conlhcts were waged because of religious differences, while others were carried on as linguistic wars. The object of all the struggles was the same—the extermination of tiie Austrian Slav." The strifes were unendmg, while the application of the "Germamsation" process was. constant ' », Urme u *H fil , st haif o{ tne nineteenth century the Czechs, under the leadership of i J alacky, reacquired a culture which in some respects approximated their medieval splendour This, also, is the period of the rc-awakeningjof the Czech people. The nation sprouted out with wonderful vigour from .itsJong t and enforced idleness. The culture of-the French and English scholars was the medium, which with proper and constant nourishment, served as a vehicle tor the rehabilitation of the Czechs. This now culture flourished until, just before the of the Dual Monarchy. The constant grind of the Czechs between the nether and upper stones was bound to create a national feeling, generate a national spirit and a unified people. Thus &*"* Induced, were absolutely conSo to A German P lans M d expectations. MX » ? «? °PP res »°» d ,eal with a nation imbued with an independent spiri't; determined to gain its freedom, which deter-' nuna ion is spurred by a rejuvenated T a . bond feeling, while a united people demands justice from the ruling SaSe* of Austria-Hungary. The present (5 are the product of ■ German influence and miscalculations. The resentful people are seeking an opportunity to avenge the wrong oomSttS against themselves, against their Kars Is ,t any wonder that they battle with such bitterness, tinged with much enthu s £ asm against the German and Magyar ml 68 ' i h f lr P ei, astent oppressors ? Ihe Bohemian lands and people are the brightest jewel in the crown of Austria! Hungary, but they are also its Nemesis. Ihey are one of the moving spirits in the dßmemberment of the empire Tihe hou^e' » *» "»*** ° f , me^ m " n & tof German propaganda aimed to disrupt a nation or a people is world Th a PV rec *t* by all the world. The Kussian debacle is but the? most recent interesting and noteworthy ex-\ ample For ages the Czechs and the Slovaks aa weU, have been subjected to a systematic vile, and calumnious world-wide propaganda conducted by German and Magyar publicists. Its only purpose was to dScredit, in the eyes of the worJd, everything Bohemian or bearing the earmarks of the Czechs. While the world lent a willing ear to their nefarious preachings, and believed them, a person of Czech birth was forced to bow his head because of the situation created and so earnestly desired bv the autocrats.

Not being- content with discrediting the Czechs, the Slavs, of which tamily the Czechs are members, against themselves In'this way, they arraved one member of the Slavic family against another. An illustrative instance is that of the Poles, who voted with the German and Magyar minority in the Austro-Hungarian lleichsrat against the interests of the Czechs German propaganda did not stop there' It attempted to set Czech against Czech" In this they were not successful, because the Czechs .possess an inborn hatred and distrust of the Germans and the Magyars as the result of their past dealings with them. UNHAPPY SITUATION. Through intrigues, craftiness, txeacherdusncss, and consciencelessness the Germans created for the Czechs an unhappy and unfortunate situation, which they had tp face master, and clear up to the world public at the outbreak of thu present" world upheaval. Through herouloan efforts the Czechs set the world right by preaching triithsfl'om every housetop, and in a comparatively short time they convinced it of tho justness and righteousness of their cause. Where at that time one person knew that tho Czechs existed, now .hundreds are aware of it. -I.

Nevertheless, in Bohemia's night, when other peoples heeded tho insidious slanders of the Germans, tho Czechs did not pretend to yield—they always deiied the autocrats, they were active every waking moment, preparing the day for tho turn of events when they would be able to take the field, shoulder to shoulder, with the civilised nations against the Huns.

It is singular that in all the achieved sue-' cesses tho Czechs follow no leader who stands out boldly. In Serbia the information imparted by tho Czech soldiers who deserted tho Austro-Hungarian armies enabled the Serbians to defeat the Hun leg-ions. In Italy, during tho last Piavo campaign in particular, the Czech deserters from the Germanio armies helped the Italians to inflict heavy losses and {rain a decisivo victory over tho Teutonic forces by advising the Italian command of the JSusfcro-Hungarian positions and strength. ■ ■ By a lightning stroke tho Czechs have hastened tho end of German domination over Russia. By tho terms of tbs BrestLitovsk "treaty," Russia was reduced to a mere tool in tho hands of tho Germans. No ono ever doubted this, but if that fact requires proof tho Committee on Public Information haa supplied this proof, which demonstrates unmistakably and most ek>quontly Gorman duplicity. The gravest mistake made by tho German -agon to was tho refusal to grant safe' passage- to tho Czocho-Slovak troops from their Russian camps to Vladivostok. Tho Bolshevists dosired to oblige their German masters, and subsequently attested to stop tho Czechoslovaks on .route. Tho rcsult".\ras that the troops fook matters into their hands, forced their way through tho Bolshevist troops, and eliminated whororer they went tho venomous German aifhwnce. Nowhere do the Czechs desert in accordance with preconceived plans, though the desertions from tho Tentonio armies aro wholesale. Invariably tho desertion is individual ; they do not flock to any individual leaders standard. Thus it is ovidont that the individual's purpose is the common purpose of aIL

SfYSTERIOUS UNION. To ail outward appearances tho Czechs are a leaderleee body, which is true jn one sense, tho military, but a. masterful power unites them through some mysterious, intangiblo, indescribable means for tho attainment of a common objective. Though, lucking a military genius, on tho other liand they are under astuto political leadership. Wjthni Bohemia, Deputy Kramarz most ably direcis the movement, whilo m distant lands Professor Masaryk pilots in© baby ' ship of State over dangerous shoals. The deep mystery of it all is that they work in apparent harmony for tho attainment of the same general purpose without Visible connections. If it did appear that there >v/us any communication between tho two men, and the Austro-Hun-garian authorities became aware of it Deputy Kramarz would quickly feel tho heavy hand of the ruling autocrate. Tho Czechs have been branded "traitors" by tho German and Austro-Hungarian nutnoritieo. If the refusal to squander their lives for a cause for which these Powers prosecute this war constitutes 'treason," and it must bo -borne in mind that these people have no interest in and do not belieyo in tho aims of this war as waged by the leutonic Powers, then tho Czechs will forever glory in the fact that they ore traitors." ' At every opportunity tho Czech soldiers desert the Teutonic armies to impart inlormation of military value, relative to tho status of the Run forces, to the commander of the Allied army, in whose midst they seek shelter, refuge, and asylum. Possibly in a military senso tho Czechs arc insignificant; nevertheless, by their course they exact an enormous toll from the ranks of the missionaries of human progress » lncy are compelled, under existing circumstances, to avail themselves of the best weapons at their disposal in order to attain their goal, and they act in no wise different > utone would act if similarly Tip Uzecho-Slovoks are one of tho most sorejy tried nations among the Allies. Their . lighting men at all times without a foot of national soil to stand on, they are deserters invariably, but who before deserting were driven, between German and Magyar sol- i diers on pillaging expeditions through trackless wildernesses, only catching their ' breath ini prison camps of France, Italy, 6r ittissia; then reforming under foreign but friendly leaders to fight for their just cause, " and tho Allies' cause of humanity. lYue, ths Czechs have been visionaries > as their culture, literature, arts, and daily I Wβ attest. They have been travelling *n • unending roa d in a barren "deseif ,, of oppression and injustice, invariably headed for the ever-present but always illusive and fardistant mirage—freedom and liberty for .Bohemia After many disappointments they have reached the outer edjres of an oasis ' where tho waters from the spring of freedom and liberty are gaily bubbling, and » here the Czechs hope to moisten their ' torched, lips and parched throats. lho injustices and oppressions of tho ' Czechs have been directed against the individual as well as against the nation. The bitter school of practical experience, under the harsh tutelage of German and Magyar despots has taught thn Czechs that Bohemia s freedom and liberty may depend on the act of one person. Every one of. them being imbued with that spirit, ho has' trained and nerved himself for the supreme moment—that moment when' the sacrifice of his all, or if need be 1 of himself, shall materialise Bohemia's ambitions. They realise that they as a body, but that they may act as individual-. Each,* Czech acts for himself inf such a way that tho particular act he "bravely and daringlyconsummate-- will bring nothing but ioy* and happiness to Bohemia and her people. Eyen though each individual acts for himself, yet through inborn individual purpose, so it appears on the surface, the Czechs are acting in concert to accomplish a unified and well-defined purpose. In substance, the unendurable oppressions and injustices have made every Czech a "traitor," if such a thing is possible, to the stifling, incompetent, and arrogant house of Hapsburg , and its cluster of leechified satellites, and each seeks to avenge the wrongs committed not only against himself, but to avenge the wrongs committed against his kinsmen and his nation; ' The Czechs, in their uniforms of sky blue, bravely and willingly sacrifico themselves for their compatriots, for their '" nation, for their principles, and the humane cause of tho Allies. They make these offerings voluntarily, knowing that by so doing , they will bring hardiness to their own. ■people and to the other' peor>les of this * world .as well. To the Czechs', with their whole strength and causes so just, there is such word as fail, not even bv human, cunning or jugglins dexterity: they will succeed. Frendom for the world, freedom for Bohemia, liberty for the Czecho-Slovaks ' will be the reward of these brave men for the aid they have rendered to humanity. NOXIOUS WEEDS IN THE TAIERI, , TO THE EDITOR. ( Sir, —As a large number of small holdings are changing hands in Mosgiel and Wingatui-"" and in view of the fact that the Government has recently purchased one or two farms for settlement by returned soldiete; let me, as a resident and as a sufferer, iss'u'e a note of warning with regard to Iho* disgraceful neglect on the part of the authorities to enforce the Noxious WeedsAct. During the past week, night and. day, » the whole locality has been thick with. ' Canadian thistle seeds. On Friday, Satur-* > day, and Sunday one would imagine that there was a snowstorm all day. Not only all the paddocks, but the houses also, are smothered with seeds. All of this has been blowing from tho - old Taieri racecourse,, where there are about 70 acres of tho vnrv best land given over entirely to the growth, of Canadian thistles and other weeds. I have had 12 months' back-breaking work in * ridding my-section of tho weeds, and I am! now convinced that next season the nuisance will be worse than ever it was, and any intending purchaser or returned, soldier is quite welcome to; my nlace at what it cost me, to say nothing of improvements. I am so disguested with the authorities' action in the'administration of the law that I intend to "got out" to avoid 12 months' hard work. Why should & man be allowed to hold a large area of what is acknow- i > ledged to be the best land on the Plains ' in order to propafrate noxious -weeds to the detriment of all within miles? There is an excellent chance for the Government to resume land and rid the locality,of a nui; sancc.—l/ am, etc., MosQEEL.

TO THE POINT. , Have you a rupture? If you have,-are you buoying- yourself up in the hope that i it will gradually get less and less, andi ' finally' disappear? Or, are you building' on the assumption that one or other of the different makes of truss which you mean. 10. f try in turn will eventually effect a' euro 7 Or, again, have you promised the doctor, that if the means you are at present trying' do not "work the oracle" by Apnl 1 you, "• will. undergo that operation which he has prescribed,? Whichever it may be of the foregoing contingencies you may be relying ' upon. Mr A. W. Martin, sole controller ot the Dr J. A. Sherman method of curing rupture, takes the liberty of assuring you that it will certainly lead ,to disappoint* ment. Mr Martin has had a wide experience of rupture, and has cured hundreds of sufferers who had tried all other methods 7 before they came to him. After trusses of innumerable designs had been ineffectually tried and doctors had failed to give ' relief Mr -Martin has oured! Neither makers nor salesmen of trusses nor tho medical profession like to read' such definite statements as these made by Mr Martin;. but he has proved them over and over again, and has done so when occasion aroso before a\ * Supreme Court judge. . \ Why continue to suffer the agonies cf hernia a day longer than you need? It ie your duty to- yourself, to your relatives, and to your country to maintain yourself in aa effective condition as you possiblj can. In this democratic country, where every mart and wpman is a potential unit—possessed : of voting _ power—every individual counto. It is a citizen's duty to the country ho lives in to keep fit. Physical distress inevitably, loads to mental ineompetency, and in a dempnracv if one link is weak thV. whole chain is weak. So delay no longer, *■ but avail yourself while you may of tho services of the expert, Mr A. W" Martin, of whom it may without fear of contradiction be said: No other man in Australasia has had such a successful career m tliA treatment of rupture. There are, it is true, many kinds of rupture, no two cases arcj alike, but whatever your particular cos* may be. you may rety upon it Mr Martin has met with similar cases before, and hai treated them successfully. Mr Martin—because no two cases are alike—insists on personal attendance. Ho cannot, for hLj reputation's sake, undertake treatment by correspondence .or by proxy. The appliance ho uses (tho Dr J. A. Sherman appliance) requires expert adjustment, and onlv the sole controller. Mr A. W. Martin, 18 qualified and capable of correct adjustment. Mr A. W. Martin may be"-consulted at ■> his rooms, Samson's Building 3, Dowling street, daily, 10 to 12 noon, 2 to 5 p m.; Saturdays, 10 to 12 noon. A booklet on rupture and its treatment froe to sufforers . 15/M9

Old Etonians on active service numbered 5610, of whom 772 were killed, 217 died of tfoandft. 135 died, and 1068 wore'wounded*