The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-09-09
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN IN PRAGUE CARLSBAD AND VIENNA

schools and except where business in- terests compel it, neither learn the language of the other. So strong is the feeling that a Bohemian desiring to master the German language would. if financially able. study 1t outside of Bohemia in preference to attending q German school in his own country.
 It Is great misfortune to the peo- pie of Hungary and Bohemia as well as to the imperial government that this hostility to the German language has become so bitter, for the Ger man is one of the great languages of more than 50,000,000 and containing in printed form most of the literary treasures of the world. The German libraries are rich in treatises on science and art. history and philoso- phy. government and religion, and these should be within the reach of the people of Hungary and Bohemia. Whatever may be the merits of the Magyar and the Czech languages, they are spoken by so few, comparatively that they cannot possibly furnish so large >store of learning as the Ger man language contains.
 The Austrian government. however. has itself to blame for the estrange- ment. for, instead of attempting to win the affections of the alien people made subject to 1t. 1t attempted to coerce them--with the usual result Resent ment toward the rulers soon turned into resentment toward the language, and it became patriotic to abhor a tongue eous to cultivate Human nature is the same everywhere, but kings seem to be as ignorant of 1t as they are of the lessons of history.
 The Austria Hungary empire cannot exist long under It's present regime; if it is to continue, the bond of union must be e substantial one and no bond of union Is substantial that does not knit itself about the hearts of both parties to the union. There are cer- tain advantages 10 be derived from the association of several small states together, but these advantages cannot be weiged against fundamental rights or against strong national sentiment. Cold, calculating statesmen sometimes underestimate the influence of senti- ment. but they usually discover their error. sometimes too late, If they att tempt to trampie upon 1t. Austria Hungary as a federation of states, each absolutely independent in it's in- ternal affairs. would be strong, but Austria Hungary. composed of dis satisfied groups all yielding unwilling ly to an arrogant Austrian influence. Is pitiably weak.
 The tie which holds Canada. Aus tralia and New Zealand to England Is infinitely stronger than that which binds Hungary and Bohemia to the Austria Hungarian throne. And why? Not because they use the same lan- guage, for the American colonies wrote the Declaration of Independence in the same tongue that George the Third employed. Canada. Australia and New Zealand are loyal to Eng land because England allows them to do as they please. If British parlia- ment acted toward these colonies as the imperial government acts toward Hungary and Bohemia. even 8 com mon language and common history could not prevent a separation. There is 8 scattering that increaseth." says Solomon. land a withholding of more than Is meet, but 1t tendeth to pen. ury." The proverb can be applied to governments, aud Francis Joseph might consider it with profit.
 It must DC remembered that Bohe- mia is no insignificant part of the em- pire. It has an nrea of 20,000 square miles, and a population of more than 5000, 900, and Is rich in minerals and in manufactures. It is noted for glass works, Bohemian glass having a world wide reputation. It has important tex tile industries also. and It's agriculture has been carried to high state of pefLecIlou. 4t nds pAdySu h CohsPhCu- ous part in the history of central 5u- rope, is rich in heroes and possesses strong national spirit
 Prague, its capital city, has long been an educational center and Is still the seat of its intellectual as well as its political life. There is very com plete industrial school at the capital which contributes in no small degree to the countrys prominence in man< ufacturing. Just now Bohemia is the Mecca for violinIsts, America contrt- outing her quota of students.
 John Huss' church is still one or Prague's landmarks, although the Catholic church has regained It's su-