Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-11-27
Bohemaa's Dream a Reality
EFF, Prantner in New York Herald.

The hour of the Cecho-Sovaks has struck.
Freedom and liberty for Bohemia are breaking
through the ages long, gray dawn, as the early,
morning sun, Strengthening the hopes and
warming the hearts of the people in these lands.
The dreams of centuries are now being real
ICED.
This little group now as founding among
nations, has gained an enviable position in the
estimation of the world through its achieve
ments in this war. How are these heretofore
unbelievable successes attained? is the question
most frequently propounded, invariably specu-
lated on but seldom satisfactorily answered.
1t is everywhere conceded that the Czechs
are possessed Of that stage of education and
public opinion in which these people can be
conscious of national governmental respon-
sibility. A nation is belief, faith, devo-
ton to fundamental things. 1t is the belief in
their just cause it is faith in those principles
of humanity so ca" e2tly urged by Illus, Co.
menus and Czech scholars Of subsequent per-
iods and it is devotion to their language that
closely knits these people as nation under
their ancient standard of white and red.
The history of Bohemia is one long and con-
tinuous story of constant wars between the
Sav and the Teuton. Some of the conflicts
we're waged because of religious differences.
while others were carried on as linguistic wars.
The object of all the struggles was the same
the determination of the Austrian Slav. The
strifes were unending, while the application Of
the REORGANIZATION" process was constant.
During the first half of the 10Th century the
Czechs under the leadership of Palacky, reac-
CURED culture which in some respects approx
mated their medieval splendor This. also, is
the period of the reawakening of the Czech peo-
pie. The nation sprouted out with wonderful
vigor from its long and enforced idleness The
culture of the French and English scholars was
the medium, which, with proper and constant
nourishment, served as a vehicle for the reha-
blitation of the Czechs. This new culture -four
ished until, just before the war, it was far su-
perior to the other peoples of the dual mon
archy.
|. The constant grind of the Czechs between the
neither and upper stones was bound to create a
national feeling, generate a national spirit and
unified people Thus the results produced were
absolutely contrary to German plans and expec-
tations. Today these oppressors deal with a
nation imbued with an independent spirit; deter
mined to gain its freedom, which determination
is spurred by rejuvenated national feeling,
while united people demands justice from the
ent Czechs are the product Of German influence
and INSTALLATIONS The resentful people are
seeking an opportunity to avenge the wrongs
committed against themselves, against their
forebears Is it any wonder that they battle
with such bitterness. tinged with much enthus-
dSlIl, against tIN herman ana magyar nOrQeS,
their persistent oppressors?
The Bohemian lands and people are the
brightest jewel in the crown of Austria-Hun-
gary, but they are also its Nemesis. They are
one of the moving spirits in the dismemberment
of the empire of the house of Hapsburgs and
in the undoing of militaristic Germany.
The meaning of German propaganda aimed
to disrupt nation or people is now thorough
Irrn amin kA4 he oG @.1I
debacle is but the most recent, interesting and
noteworthy example For ages the Czechs, and
the Slovaks as WE'LL have been subjected to a
systematic, vile and calumnious worldwide
propaganda conducted by German and Magyar
publicists. Its only purpose was to discredit in
the eyes of the world everything Bohemian or
bearing the earmarks of the Czechs. While
preachings. and believed them, a person of
Czech birth was forced to bow his head because
of the situation created and so earnestly desired
by the autocrats.
Not being content with discrediting the
Czechs, they divided the Slavs, of which family
the Czechs are members, against themselves.
In this way they arrayed one member of the
Slavic family against another. An illustrative
instance is that of the Poles, who voted with
the German and Magyar minority in the Austro-
Hungarian Reichsrat against the interests of the
Czechs.
To all outward appearances the Czechs are a
leaderless body, which is true in one sense, the
military but masterful power unites them
| through some mysterious, intangible, indescrib-
| able means for the attainment of common
objective. Though lacking military genius,
on the other hand they are under astute political
leadership. Within Bohemia Deputy Kramarz
most. ably directs the movement while in dis
tant lands Professor Masaryk pilots the baby
ship OF state over dangerous shoals The deep
mystery of it all is that they work in apparent
| harmony for the attainment of the same general
purpose without visible connections If it did
appear that there was any communication be-
tween the two men, and the Austria Hungarian
authorities became aware of it. Deputy Kramarz
would quickly feel the heavy hand of the ruling
autocrats.
| The Czechs have been branded TRAITORS" by
the German and Austria Hungarian authorities
If the refusal to squander their lives for cause
for which these powers prosecute this war con-
stltutes treason" and it must be borne in mind
that these people have no interest in and do not
believe in the aims of this war as waged by the
Teutonic powers, then the Czechs will forever
glory in the fact that they were traitors
At every opportunity the Czech soldiers de.
sert the Teutonic armies to mpart information
of military value, relative to the status of the
Hun forces, to the commander of the allied
army in whose midst they seek shelter, refuge
and asylum Possibly in military sense the
Czechs are insignificant; nevertheless by theft
course they exact an enormous toll from the
ranks of the missionaries of human progress
They are compelled under existing circum.
stances, to avail themselves of the best weapons