New-York tribune., 1918-05-26
to
Organize an Army
To Assist Entente
Prof. Masaryk Here Tells
5000 Of Plan to Raise
$4,000 Men in Russia

Three thousand Czecho-S -Slovaks who
filled Carnegie Hall to capacity, and as
many more who thronged the streets
about the building, rendered stirring
ovation last night to Professor Thomas
Garrigue Masaryk, popular idol of the
Bohemian people and champion Of the
rights of the Czecho- -Slovak nations
seeking freedom from Austrian rule.
Professor Masaryk was introduced by
Nicholas Murray Butler, president of
Columbia University, as one of the "six
wisest men in the world" The audi
ence, rising to its feet. cheered for
six or seven minutes. Professor Mas
aryk's address was punctuated through
out with continuous applause.
There are nineteen nations from
the Baltic to the Mediterranean seek
ing liberty from Teutonic aggression" !"
Professor Masaryk declared, land it is
these nations which Germany hopes to
enslave in order to realize her dreams
of an empire in middle Europe and
control Of Asia. Those opposing Ger
many will never be secure until this
dream of conquest is shattered. Rou-
mania, the Russian provinces, Serbia
and all Czecho-Slovak nations must be
set free, and President Wilson has de-
clared it Americas intention TO wage
war until such freedom is obtained"
Praises Gettysburg Address.
Whether or not Americans are we'll
acquainted with the history of Bohemia
and her struggle against Austria, Pro-
fessor Masaryk made it clear that Bo-
hernia was we'll acquainted with Amer
lea and her ideals, for he told that
Lincoln's declaration of Government
for the people and by the people" has
been the watchword of Bob emia for
many years.
81 stood at Gettysburg few days
SINCE" said Professor Masaryk "and
read Lincoln's immortal address. His
words have been dear to the hearts of
my people"
Professor Masaryk told how Austria
had misused the 7 hemian and Czecho-
slovak people since Bohemia entered
into federation with her in 1926.
"She never conquered the Bohe-
mians," he declared amidst wild cheer
ing, "she tricked and betrayed them.
They must and will be free. The
Czecho- -slovaks are the barrier between
Germany and the Asiatic world, and it
is all important that all aid possible
be given them in their efforts to balk
Austria"
Professor Masaryk spoke hopefully
of Russia and said the part the Allied
nations should play toward her was
one of aid and assistance rather than
ceusure.' He said that Austria, made
up of nine nations, seven of whom are
oppressed and held in thrall, was
in, al II ! ALL <1>,k
Austria could never free herself from
Germany and had become a vassal
state also that Austrian and German
idels were the sme--tyranny and mis-
rule.
Organizes Army for Allies.
The meeting was held under the aus
pices of the Bohemian National Alli-
ance and the Slovak League. Professor
Masaryk is the president of the
Czecho- slovak National Council in
Europe, organized by him to fight
against. Austrian rule. Educated in
Austrian universities and founder of
the Progressive party in Bohemia, for
the last forty years he has moulded
the thought of Slav students. He has
just returned from Russia where he
organized the Czech and Slovak prison
ers of war into an army of $4,000, and
another corps of the same size is being
formed to fight with the Allies. His
declaration that the Czecho- -slovaks
would fight with France, England and
America caused tremendous cheering.
Mrs. w. R. Wilcox, Of the Red Cross,
made short address to the gathering
in which she praised the way in which
the Czecho-slovaks in America had
supported, the war and its ideals.
large contribution was taken up by
Red Cross workers. The chairman Of
the reception committee and in charge
of the affair was Vincent w Woytisek.