Omaha daily bee., 1915-11-15
CZECHS DECLARE
THEY MUST Be FREE
Bohemian and Slsvak Colonies Give
Utterance to Declaration Of
Independence.
AUSTRIA NOW GERMAN STATE

Slovaks demanding Independence for their
oppressed countries has been framed.
The manifest, which Is signed by Bo-
hernian deputies who managed 20 escape
from Austria and by leaders OF Bohemian
and Slovak colonies in various lands. re-
cites the wrongs suffered by the Czechs
and siovaks under the sceptre OF the
Hapsburgs. Up 60 the outbreak OF the
present war the oppressed Slavs sought
only a qualified independence within the
limits OF Austria-HunEary. But the war
Is TO them an act OF aggression Slav
conscripts are driven TO death. compelled
20 fight for a cause which they abhor.
Persecution RACES in the Bohemian and
slovak provinces and obedience II en-
forced by hangings. Austria-Hungary has
become a vassal OF Germany and has
lost all justification to further existence.
Bohemians and slovaks, acting to-
Eether. appeal 10 the world for sympathy
and look forward TO the final victory OF
the allies 10 realize their national aspira-
lions.
Declaration ~ Independence,
This document, II Is hoped, will take
the same place In Bohemian history the
Declaration Of Independence occupies In
American history.
]. Tvrzicky, secretary, and DIR. l.. J.
FISHER president, promulgate the declara-
ton, which Is in part as follows:
I'VE shall not discuss the whole situa-
ton created by the war We shall only
explain briefly the position OF the Bohe-
milan people the Czechs. as they call
themselves.
1.-The Bohemian nation having by It's
free choice called 10 the throne a Rgng
OF the Hapsburg family entered into
union with Hungary and German Austria;
but the dynasty through gradual central
ization and germanization aimed at the
construction OF a single state with ar
bitrary government, thus violating It's
agreement TO maintain the internal and
exteral Independence OF the Bohemian
state. The Bohemian people exhausted
by the European and Hapsburg counter
reformation were for a long time unable
TO Withstand the oppression, until the
great revival came at the end of the
eighteenth century. eliminating in the
revolution of 1s4s. The revolution was
suppressed. rights conceded 70 the peo-
pie OF Austria. and principally TO the
Bohemians, were taken back and abso-
lutism reigned once more, until the dis
astrous war OF 1859 compelled the grant
ing OF an imperfect constitutional re-
girne. Magyars obtained from Vienna
what they demanded. but all that tho
Bohemians got were solemn promises
never fulfilled. The Bohemian people
through their representatives preserved
for a long time the attitude OF passive
opposition. later entered the new parlia-
ment. but both In the central parliament
and in the diets demanded their hlstor-
~lo a.I A.
monarchy on federalistic basis as
against tho German-Magyar dualisn. All
attempts 10 reach an agreement with
the empire were frustrated by the rapao-
ity and intolerance Of Germans and
Magyars
THE present war has intensified the
antagonism between the people OF Bo-
hernia and the Austro- Hungarian en-
pire. War was declared without the APP
proval Of parliament; every other country
participating In the war has laid the
momentous decision before the represent
atives o fthe nation. but the Vienna gov
eminent was afraid to listen TO the vafAs
OF the Austrian peoples. because the ma
Jority would have been against the war.
The Bohemian representatives wQ@h
have protested most vigorously; therefore
the government did not consult a single
bohemian deputy or leader before taking
the momentous step.
THE recent history OF the Bohemian
people shows plainly the great stress LAID
by the BohemianB upon the Slav iden.
And so In this war. which found the
Czechs totally unprepared,, Just as Il dsd
every other peace-loving nation. from the
very beginning, In spite OF the incvsdibTe
terrorism with which every manifestath Tan
Of the real sentiments OF the people was
suppressed, sympathy for Russians, Ser
VANS and their allies was universal.
Declarations in favor OF Austria, were
engineered and extorted by the govern
ment
BOhemians Terroriaed.
Today Bohemian leaders are IN fail,
an fmbecile government enforces obedi-
ence by hangings. and Bohemia.l regi-
ments are decimated because the spon-
taneeusly acted In accordance with the
unanimous sentiment OF the Bohemian
people. The rights OF the Bohemian
language are ruthlessiy violated and cur
tailed as the war is going on. Military
power overrides all laws and treats the
Bohemian lands. and all non-German and
non-Magyar districts as conquered prov.
inces. Bohemian publications are CON
flscated and suppressed for expressiSS
their opinion. whereas. are national en-
emies are allowed TO inveigh against the
bohemian people. and Vienna and Buda-
pest encourage pan-Germanic excuses In
the spirit OF Lsgarde, Won Hartmann.
Mommsen. Treitschke.
Time 10 Act.
I'm this extremity the Bohemian peopIe
can no longer keep silen e.
can no longer keep silence.
"A foreign COMMITTEES has been formed
OF Bohemians living beyond the bound.
aries OF their native country, aiming "a
inform the world OF the real facts. n
interpret TO the statesmen. political lead.
ers ana journalists Of the allies and the
neutral states the desires OF the Bohe.
milan people. and TO champion the Rohe-
milan program. All Bohemian politiea
parties have up 10 this time been fiRhtine
for qualified Independence within IN,
limits OF Austria Hungary. But the eventi
Of this terrible war and the reckless VIC
lsnce OF Vienna constrain Us to claim
indep9ndence without regard TO Austria
Hungary.
We ask fof an independent Bohemian
Blovak state.
Austria a Dependency.