The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-19

put accept these principles expressed In
! the American Declaration OF Independ-
ence, the principles Of Lincoln and Of
the declaration Of the rights OF man and
OF the citizens. For these principles our
nation shed Its blood In the memorable
HUSTLE wars 500 years ago; for these
same principles beside her allies our
nation is shedding It's blood to-day in
Russia, Italy and France.
We shall outline only the main prin-
ciples Of the constitution of the Czecho-
Slovak nation; the final decision as to
the constitution itself falls to the legally
chosen representatives of the liberated
and united people.
The Czecho-Glovak nation shall be a
republic. In constant endeavor for prog
ress II will guarantee complete freedom
or conscience, religion and science, liter
ature and art, speech, the press and the
right OF assembly and petition. The
church shah be separated from the State.
Our democracy shall rest on universal
suffrage; women shall be placed on an
equal footing with men. politically. So
cially and culturally. The rights of the
minority shall be safeguarded by pro-
portional representation national minor
tiles shall enjoy equal rights: the Cow
eminent shall be parliamentary in form
and shall recognize the principles of in
uiative and referendum. The standing
army will be replaced by militia.
THE Czecho-Slovak nation will carry
out far reaching social and economic
reforms: the large estates will be re-
deemed for home colonization. patents
Of nobility will be abolished: our ma
ton Will assume its part OF the Austro-
Hungarian pre-war public debt. The
debts for this war We leave to those who
incurred them.
Opposed 10 secret Treaties.
"In its foreign policy the Czecho-
Slovak nation will accept its full share
OF responsibility in the reorganization
Of eastern Europe. II accepts fully the
democratic and social principle OF ma
tionality and subscribes to the doctrine
that all covenants and treaties shall be
entered into openly and frankly without
secret diplomacy.
Our constitution shall provide an eff
Client, rational and just Government
which will exclude all special privileges
and prohibit class legislation.
Democracy has defeated autocracy
militarism Is overcome-democracy is
v!ctorious-on the basis of democracy
mankind will be recognised. The
forces of darkness have served the
victory OF light. the longed for age OF
humanity Is uaWnlnk.
I'VE believe in democracy; we be-
lieve in liberty-and liberty evermore.
Given in Paris, on the eighteenth OF
October. 1918.
Prof. Thomas G. Masaryk, Prime
Minister and Minister OF Finance.
Gen. DR.. Milan X. Stefanik, Min
lister of National Defence.
"Dr. Edward Benes, Minister OF For
eign Affairs and OF the Interior"
similar to Poles Declaration.
The determined and timely action OF
the Czecho -Slovak nation already has
been virtually duplicated by the Polish
peoples of Germany and Austria in dec
larations which have aroused enthusiasm
among the resident Poles OF the United
States. They have learned that the re-
gency council at Warsaw has declared
also for an Independent. not an autono-
nous, Poland. and that Polish revolu-
tionary meetings have been held in Dant-
in Austrian Poland.
The Poles under the regency council
already have begun the work Of rebuild
ing the Polish nation. Internal admins
trative functions have been assumed and
the German military satraps have been
browbeaten into acceptance of the con-
ditions which the Poles have established.
No Faith I'm vienna Promises.
LONDON, Oct ls.-The Czecho-
Sovak National Council and the