The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-31
opPREssEDA ELEMENTS SPEAK.
Congress sef oppressed Nations Issue
Revolutionary Proclamation.

Congress S01 dppfcSScd NatlOnS ISSUE
Revolutionary Proclamation.
.Berne, July 25 Correspondence of
the Associated Press)-The words
Long Live Wilson," and Long Live
the Entente" were written on the
walls of the meeting place Of the Con-
gress of Oppressed Nations which re-
Gently met at Prague. Although the
police hastened to remove them, they
reappeared9as if by magic.
The extent ito which the revolution
ary ferment has increased in Austria
Hungary is shown by the text OF the
resolutions adopted by the congress.
COPIES of which have been received
here. It is. in the form Of a procla-
nation and, is said to be the first JOINT
revolutionary. proclamation ever is
sued i'm the dual monarchy. It says
in part:
1.-THE assembled representatives
,1nanim ously declare that better fu-
ture for this nation is to be. founded
and durably assured on the firm basis
of world democracy, real and SOW
ereigns government by the people, and
universal alliance of nations vested
with the authority of arbitration.
'They reject most enlphatically all
treaties not sanctioned by the SOW
ereign will of nations. They are con-
yinced that all peace for which they
and all democracies of the world are
longing, can be righteous and dur
able only if the world puts an end to
the existing sunbearable domination
of one nation over the other, and II
the world makes it possible for ma
tions to organize their relations to
each other on.the basis of equal rights
and free conventions, in order that
they may defend themselves against
the evils of imperialism.
They are. resolved to sacrifice ev-
erything, convinced that these are the
nations critical days; that they are
aiding civilization in the effort to free
humanity once and for all from the
everlasting international violence and
MURDERS shown by the experience
of this unprecedented war-and are
helping toward the new era of DIS
pendence on international law. the
fraternity Of nations, equal rights, and
human liberty
The gathering was one Of the mos
notable in the history Of Prague, com
prising large delegations from all the
oppressed elements within Austria,
Hungary. The Slovaks of Hungary
sent a party of twenty-five with the
great Slovakl poet Eviezdeslav. The
Polish delegation numbered sixty
three from Silesia, one from Prusslar
Poland, and the rest from Galicia, in
cluding ex-Minister Glombinski ant
FIVE deputies. The Croats and Serbs
numbered "a hundred with nine depu
ties. Among the 800 Jugo-Slavs were
60 Slovenes, seven Corinthians, 81
styrians and 100 Carniolans with fou1
deputies.
The Italian delegation of II includ
ed Deputy Conci, irredentist deput!
in the Austrian parliament. There
were besides Rumanians from Transyl
vania anGthe Bukovina, four Dalma
tians and three Bosnians. Among th'
notable figures were Tetmaier, dear
of the socialists of Poland, Rybar, ex
! mayor. ofsslhach, and Krista chic
of the Democratic party. 1t was
strange medley of racial fractions
and only such gathering as could b.
found among the oppressed element
crowded within Austria Hungary.
Practically nothing concerning tn
gathering, was allowed to appear II
the press and the papers appeare'
with great white columns disclosin'
how the censors had suppressed al
references to the meeting. They an
nounced, however. that 35 arrests ha'
been made; ALSO that the crowds hat
succeeded ip breaking the police cor
dons thrown around the gathering
and the measures finally adopted t.
dispcrse the meeting. A continuou
struggle was carried on between tn
population and the police. unknown
hands decorated the linden trees will
emblems Of Slav fraternity.