South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-28
For Justice to the Oppressed

5 whom the only real charge was that Qt De-
? Ing her fathers child.
For Justice to the Oppressed
Permitted to go into exile in Italy hs
escaped to England and devoted himself
10 the organization OF Czech Sloyaks and
allied Slavic victims of German, Magyar
and Germanized Russian official oppression
throughout the world The collapse Of i'm
perial Russia and the German corruption
OF bolshevik Russia gave him an opportu-
nifty to direct war against the Hun with
swords as we'll as with words
Meanwhile he had been laboring 70 I'm
press upon the leading minds OF all the
allied free nations that only through as
surance of justice and freedom to all the
subject races Of eastern Europe could the
menace Of the Hun be certainly and for
ever ended. For the Hun had not shown
and has not yet shown-the slightest
sign OF repentance for his crimes
The way 10 make sure OF perpetual
safety OF civilization from the Hun" ran
the burden OF Masaryks argument. lis to
put round the Hun a Slavic ring % steel"
The resolution of the Czech SlovaA @cldiers
forced into Austria's armies not 20 fight
for Hun world rule provided the oppOrtu-
nifty for Masaryk 10 back his words with
his peoples deeds. When the Czech SOL
diers refused to march they were shot as
mutineers. So they marched and at every
chance over into the Russian lines, sOme-
times by whole regiments.
How they fought for Russia while Rus
STA stood up against the Hun; how they
rejected the bolshevik poison "made in
Germany and endeavored to escape from
Russia TO France. There TO fight the Hun
again; how, harried by the purchased serv-
ants OF the Hun. they turned and became
a dam against the food Of bOlshevik Iunacy
that marvellous chapter Of the wars his
tory can be only outlined as yet for lack
q IL gf 1ub
II II but find among the men who lived
through it a competent teller, viii rival
Xenophon's tale Of the march of the Ten
Thousand Greeks into ;he heart Of Persia
and out again. Had those 10000 Greeks
stayed in Persia and become q wall to its
people against anarchy their Achievements
would have been like that OF the Czech
Slovaks in Siberia.
Made Masaryk Their Commander
Czech Slovak soldiers had recog-
nized Masaryk. as head OF their national
council formed by their races exiled lead
ers, as their commander chief. He had
ordered them TO leave Russia. The great
ness Of the man was shown by the swift
ness with which he changed his orders
when Il became clear that these troops
could do far more important service by
staying in Russia than by coming out.
The result was the recognition by the
allies OF the eXiled Czech-Sloyak council
-
country in possession aud fortresses. but
IL had what was far more important. IL
could echo the proud boast OF the old
Greek poet:
The walls OF Athens are impregnable:
Our city's bulwarked by heroic sons"
Moreover, when the moment came %
found the Czech Slovaks in their home-
land. guided by the spirit and teachings
Of Masdryk. ready 10 act with COMP 10
efficiency The finishing stroke 70 the
reeling Hapsburg empire was given by The
open revolt OF Bohemia. timed at the pre-
else moment when Il could certainly sue
coed. Woodrow Wilson might have added
to his historic refusal even TO discuss
peace with Austria another reason. 5he
fact that Vienna could no longer even PREF
tend 20 speak for Bohemia.
Furthermore. IL is notable that so FAR
as We have beard from Bohemia It's revO-i
luton has been marked with nothing Il
bolshevism The Bohemians simply took
their country out OF the hands Of German
officialdom and into their own. Within a
few days life was progressing in a maLnEr
entirely orderly. and Bohemian troops
were organizing, not 10 put down disorder
at home. but 10 carry the war directly into
Germany. Had the allies found II neceJ.
sary 20 invade Germany from the soSth.
and trained Czech Slovaks already ION
the Job"
The achievements Of the Czech Slovak
people in aiding to win the war and their
own freedom with IL show what is the
spirit that Masaryk embodies and for
which he has spoken, and rank the chosen
leader OF this new old nation as among
the leading statesmen Of the world w1F
era.