Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-10-06
II, ara Are Over One Million czecho- -slovaks in Amer ;ca, at Present Time.
,ur1R DIsTRUST OF GERMANY IS STRONG
,ro. German Corruption Tried In U. $. Oh S1o-
 walks But Failed.

rho Czecho-slovaks have rendered ,,ab magnificent service to the ovso of the Allies in Russian and ;hor;a that the attention of the en- ;ro civilized world has ben turned non them. But their achievements a ava not all beeing on the field of battle. We have in American over 000 O0O Czecho-slocaks. The story Of |beir contributions to the winning of he war is also one of great interest. Since we entered the war, the ef- arts of the Czecho-slovaks people \ the United States have been really rotahle: both as Americans, to win hs war. and as lovers of their na- ;ve land. to secure it's independence. but their distrust of Germany and |heir industry in behalf of oppressed roon,es date back earlier than Am [rica's participation in the struggle. Associations of various kinds, so- Nal. athletic, benefit, etc., had exist |d among the Czecho-Slovaks before he Great War began in 1914. But Tn hal year all the Czech organizations Vere united into the Bohemian Ma iorml Alliance with headquarters at ,hicago, and all the Slovak organiza ions were combined to form the Slo- ak League which had it's main of ices at Pittsburg. The object was wo fold; first, to wor kwith all their might and main for the independ Ence of Bohemia -Slovakia; second, to ounteract the pro-German propagan- Ia in the United States.
 Attempt to Corrupt Newspapers.
 This pro-German agitation tried it's lest to make use of the Czecho-Slo- taks; particularly their newspapers. Everybody remembers the vigorous forts of German agents to find ex- bressions through the American press. Attempts were made to buy up papers br to secure their favor with adver- isements. This extended also to the Bohemian -Slovak newspapers. But gainst all the measures taken to win hem over the Czecho-Slovaks pres nted determined front. Their eigh- y newspapers throughout the coun- ry refused the paid matter with which hey were deluged by the Austro- Hungarian embassy and came out practically unanimously for the ause fthe Allies.
 They resisted other German and Austrian advances too, as long ago s the first year of the war. It will e remembered that drive was hade by German and Austrian agents secure an embargo upon ammun7- lon and war supplies, which were ssential to the Allies: a campaign of Intimidation was begun against Am. dican public men who had declared Themselves in favor of the Allies or intervention on their side; and abotage was restored to in the muni- tons factories to destroy the war naterials designed for the Allies. The Czecho- -Slovaks objected strenu- usly. Immense mass-meetings were cid to protest against any embargo pon war materials And they made onstant and successful appeals to heir ellow-countrymen employed ill ne mines and munitions factories to efuse to strike and to report all cases 1 sabotage to the authorities.
 Lecturers Tour Country.
 After America entered the war. the ctivities of the Czecho-Slovaks were reless, Lecturers were sent out by De central committee at Washington nrough the country to practically very Czech and Slovak settlement.
 explain the purposes and ideals for Pnlch our country was fighting, and form local organization. So suc- essful was this work that there now xist over 250 local patriotic societies. Eith g paid-up membership of over 50.OO0.
 moreover. every organization form- 10 maintain the morale of our peo- le, such as the State Councils of De- ense, has the loyal support of the ho-Slovaks. Indeed the president
 tne Woman's Divisiono the Neb- asKa State Council of Defense is 1ecn woman, Miss Sarka Hrbkova, of ae university of Nebraska.
 m f1nancial matters the Czecho- aovaKs nave been liberal. It will sur .,se most Americans to learn that the p'eadid work of Professor Thomas
 Masaryk. president of the Czecho- sosak National Council, throughout s world, has been made possible by e enthusiastic financial support of tates. -' " '"o "''oN