Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-09-03
ARRAYS AMERICA
AGAINST AUSTRIA.
Recognition of Czecho-Slo-
vaks Step Toward the En-
pire's Dismemberment.
CHANGE in U. S. POLICY
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

By DAVID LAWRENCE.
Copyright. 1918. by the New York Evening
Post, Inc.)
The United States government to-
day took 4 step which practically
commits America to the dismember-
ment of the Austro-Hungarian en-
pire. 1t means that, with the dtsin-
tegration of the empire and the as
pirations of the several oppressed
races for independence and national
ity the American government is not
only In sympathy, but that formal and
practical effect has at last been given
to previous declarations of sympathy
by recognizing the Czecho-Slovhk ma
tional council as de facto be1liger-
ent government.
The Czecho- Slovaks, to be sure, lad
acquired such recognition from inc
BRUSH and French governments ana
have been Seeking IL from HaSnlnS-
ton. IN me win our traditional poi
icy of examining the facts of every
situation so as to make sure mat
the governing leaders truly repre-
sent the wishes of the nation itself,
the United States held off until salts
fed that the national council was
representative OF the CZecho-S lovak
peoples.
Prof Thomas Masaryk, who is the
president of the national council OF
Czecho-Slovaks, has been in Washing
ton for many. weeks directing the
military moveInen across Siberia lie
was gratified to receive In person
from Secretary Lansing the an
nouncement of recognition.
Possible Effects in Empire.
It will be interesting to watch the
reaction of the American govern
ment's step on the peoples Of the Aus
tro-Hungarian empire. When the
British and, French recognized the
Czecho-Slovaks there was rejoicing
among the CZecho- Slovaks still un-
DER Austrian rule. as well AS the other
races who felt that some day the
same measure of recognition might De
accorded their nationalistic aspira-
lions. Unrest and internal disturb
ance followed and the German press
admitted that the allies had been re.
sponsible for an effective piece OF
propaganda.
Inasmuch as the prestige OF t'.s
United States, and particularly KS
democratic form Of government means
a great deal to the peoples OF the OBJ
pressed races. it is anticipated mere
that the moral effect OF; secretary
Lausing's announcement will be such
that Austria will not hereafter be able
to send many divisions to assist the
hard-pressed Germans on the western
front, but will need her troops at
homo.
Defiant Tone Among the Poles.
There have been plain symptoms Of
revolt recently among the Poles, ooth
those in Austrian and German terri
tory, and the spokesman OF the Poles
have not hesitated to adopt a denant
tone toward the Austrian and German
governments This, too, Is the result
Polish National Council. a governing
body analogous. to the Czecho- Slovak
National Council.
Many students of Germany insist
| that a political revolt is not to be
expected against the HohenZollern
dynasty before reace comes. but it is
now the general expectation that an
uprising in Austro-H Hungary is not
only possible but probable. The col
lapse of Austria would be the begin
ming of the end for Germany, and it
| is toward that objective that allied
| diplomacy now is working.
| The Czecho- Slovaks have been made
a ll-fedged belligerent by today's
action and probably would be en-
titled to loans from our government.
| Already military assistance has been
given the Czecho-Slovaks in Siberia
! and the announcement of recognition
/ is calculated to hearten the forces
| who now are fighting alongside Amer
lean and Japanese troops against the
| former German and Austrian prison
/ ers in Russia.
Scope Of q. S. Action.
Recognition of the Czecho-Slovaks
as in a state of belligerency means,
| moreover, that the United States con-
siders the Czecho-Slovak peoples as in
a state of revolution against the gov
eminent Of Austria-Huneary. When
| the allies are successful the claim of
the Czecho-Slovaks for independence
| will be recognized. That is why what
may seem to many observers rs a mere
! paper declaration in reality can be
construed a. q pledge to stand by the
conference which shall determine the
claims of all oppressed nationalities
for independence The CZecho-Slovaks
will have proved not only by their
military achievements, but their po-
litical organization in company with
to sovereignty and independence and a
right to determine their own form of
government in central Europe.
| There was time-before the
| United States declared war on Aus
| tria-when our own government
| terested in the dismemberment of the
| Austrian empire. Since then we
| have changed our policy. Secretary
/ Lansing's expression Of sympathy
with the congress of representatives
of the oppressed races held in Rome
! was the first step. Todays action is
| momentous sequel to and develop
ment of that policy.
| America is proving to the oppressed
! lnf hi ig-s .