The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-09-04
RECOGNITION OF
CZECH NATION IS
BLOW TO HUNS
Action by U. S. May Have
Far-reaching Effect on War
Situation.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4.-Recogni-
ton of the Czecho- Slovak nation Tues
day by the United States government
assures the Czechs of northern Aus
tria of a standing in the league OF ma
lions, and since it follows similar &C
ton by Great Britain, France and
Italy, It may have far-reaching effect
on the war situation in Europe. In
any event. it is expected to produce a
new alignment of demands upon Ger
many and Austria-Hungary at the
peace table.
The first immediate effect OF the
American governments action, state
department officials said, will be In the
opening of the way to furnishing much
needed war materials and supplies to
the Czecho- Slovak armies operating
against the Germans and Austrian
forces in Siberia and southern Russia.
Financial assistance also can be given
and, while no request for such aid has
yet been made, 1t is expected and Of
f1cials said it would be granted.
Will Check Hun Efforts.
In the official view the CZechO-SlO-
walks, if properly financed and aided.
will be able to make a more serious
and determined offensive against the
common enemy. The Czechs In Rus
STA and Siberia are particularly anx-
ious to re-establish an eastern front
and are said to lack only equipments
and moral support to accomplish their
purpose. 1t is estimated that there
are from 10000 to 100000 Czecho-
Slovaks operating in Russia and ST.
IBERIA, and these, with the help OF
such military aid as is being furnished
by the United States and the allies,
and the large numbers of Russians
which they may attract to their stand
ards are expected successfully to COM
bat German and Austrian aggression
in the East
In extending recognition to the
Czecho-Slovaks. the United States
went farther than Great Britain and
France by recognizing the Czecho-
Slovak National Council as de facto
belligerent government. Prof Thomas
G.. Massaryk, president of the National
Council will continue to represent the
Council-Slovaks in a diplomatic way
with the American government.
Charles Percier, his chief assistant,
will act when Prof. Massaryk is alb
sent from Washington
Reasons for Delay.
Recognition of the Czecho-Slo
nation by the United States was de-
layed because President Wilson and
his advisers wished to be certain that
the National Council with headquar-
tiers in Paris, was the real representa-
tive of its people. President Wilson
has told congress that it was not the
purpose of the United States to dis
member Austria, but the fact that the
Czecho-Slovaks as nation have exist
ed since before the Christian era and
recent developments in Austria are
represented as lending weight to
change in the governments attitude.
The terms of peace which the en-
tente nations will impose upon Ger
many and Austria are expected to es-
tablish definitely the territorial posi-
ton of the Czecho-Slovak, nation This
means that the northern tier of states
in the dual monarchy. Bohemia, Mora
via and a part Of Galicia, will be sew
cred from the empire and become the
independent home Of the Czcho-Slo-
walks. Under this plan the adjoining
section of Germany also would be en-
braced in the newly established ma
ton.
Immediate results in Austria also
are looked for by officials The Jugo-
Slavs Of southern Austria have for a
longtime been ambitious to establish
an independent nation for themselves
under the leadership of Servia and it
Is believed that they will seize upon
the recognition of the Czecho-Slovaks
as an excuse for definite action look
ing to their freedom.