The Washington herald., 1918-09-04
CZECHO-SLAVS
RECOGNIZEDBY
UNITED STATES
Nation, Army and Govern
ing Body Included in
Recognition.
BLOW AIMED AT HUNS
Step MeansU. S. Committed
to Dismemberment of
Former Empire.

Formal recognition Of the
Czecho- Slovaks as belligercnt
government, and of the Czecho-
Slovak national council as the de
facto government, was made yes
terday by the United States.
This government, according to
Secretary Lansing's announce
ment, will now enter formally in
to relations with the de facto gov
erunent for the purpose of pros
ecuting the war against the COM
mon foe-Germany and Austria
Hungary.
The recognition of this country
goes farther fhan the previous
recognitions Fof Great Britain.
France and italy, for it recog-
nizes not only the Czecho-Slovaks
as a nation, but also their army
and governing body. In fact, it
is a sweeping blow aimed at Aus
tris=Hungary and Germany, and
practically commits this country
to the dismemberment Of the for
mer empire.
I step for Liberation.
The announcement of the State De
partment was also taken to Indicate
the first step in the fulfilment OF the
Presidents promise that the freedom
OF oppressed peoples must, and will, be
established by this war.
It was noon yesterday when Secre-
tary Lansing received Prof. T. G. Mas
aryk. president of the Czecho- slovak
National Council and comma nder-in-
chief of the Czech armies. at the State
Department and informed him Of the
step taken by the United States. Only
one more important belligerent re-
mains TO recognize the Czecho-Slo-
vaks. 1t Is Japan, and its recognition
is now expected in the near future.
Far-reaching possibilities are cx-
pected from the action OF the United
| States in extending the official hand
! of friendship TO a people, now under
the heel of Austria Hungary, but Of
whom thousands are fighting the cause
of the allies all the way from South
Central Europe to Vladivostok.
Recognition by a power Of the pres
tige of this nation. officials believe.
may kindle into fiery stt>ngth the
flicker of revolt that now burns in
many parts of Austria. II not only
serves to hearten those Czechs, who
now suffer tyranny, but also strength
ems the ties that bind the Jugo-Slays,
also oppressed by the Central Powers.
to the nations of the Entente Their
position has been similar to the Czechs
save that they have had no opportu-
nifty to escape the slavery imposed on
them. Officials likewise believe The
recognition will have an important
bearing on the Polish question, which
at present is of such concern to the
two emperors.
May Help with Money.
While assistance has already beer
given those Czecho-Slovaks in Siberia
and other parts of Russia, it is be-
Ilieved the United States will now
come forth with actual monetary aid
for the new nation in the form Of g
loan. Secretary of the Treasury Nc
Adoo said yesterday that formal rec
iognition made this possible.
The Czeeho-Slovaks come, for tn,
most part, from that part Of Austris
known as Bohemia. and from tn.
start Of the war they have been tn,
staunch friends of the allies. Thou
sands Of them. forced into the Aus
train armies against their will. de
serted and surrendered to the Ital
: ians and Russians in the early part o
! the war. Today those thousands
scattered from the Austrian frontte
all the. way to Vladivostok, are tn,
most stable element in Russia an,
the one hope of the allies of bring
ing order out of chaos.
Mnsnryk TituIar Head.
Professor Masaryk. who as presi
dent of the national council Is the Ii
=, tular head of the new government
has his headquarters in Washington
ALTHOUGH until yesterday he was tech
nically an alien enemy in this coun
try. he has been received by tn
| President and other officials. and ha
been consulted In all plans for tn
! relief OF the Czecho-Slovaks in 81
IBERIA. Professor Masaryk is know
as the .'little father" Of the Czecho
SlovaRs. and in Austria he is unde
sentence of death. He was the ma
,, twho performed the almost impossibl
task in Russia Of rallying the Czech!
, who were scattered from one end
| the other of that vast land, and tn
instructions he gave them are beai
, ing fruit today when they are th
lonly coherent and stable body {
linen, in the country.
, Professor NEasaryk was profoundl
.ttouehed by the recognition given tn
/ | lCzech-Slovaks. As he left Secr'
] ltarx Lansing's once he said: 81 a
'truIstFatefuL"