The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-07
Czech0-SlOvak Republic Out of
Heart of Austria.
Youngest Member of the Allied
Family of Nations.
| SURE ENOUGH WAR BABY"
One of Most Striking ROmances
of Battle.
OPPOSED the Austrians All
THU the Fighting

=
New York, Dec. Sliced out of
khe heart of northern Austria and
Hungary by the sword of war. the
Czecho- Slovak republic, youngest rec
bgnfzed member of the allied family
bf nations, is in reality merger under
democratic government of the ancient
Bohemian, Moravian. Silesian and
Slavic Kingdoms, subjected for almost
Boo wears to Teuton and Magyar dom
nation.
The rebirth of Czech and Slav indie
pendence forms one of the most strik-
ing romances Sof the war. For CEN
turies Bohemia stood in the forefront
Df European culture. giving to the
world the Christian martyrs and edu-
cators, Huss and Jerome of Prague.
the poet Kollar, the linguist and
feacher Comenius. and, in the field of
art, Brozik. the painter, and the mu-
Bician Dvorak, with many others
whose deeds have found places in his
tory. Hardly less advanced was the
civilization of her sister states. With
such inspiration, the Czecho- Slovaks
Retained, despite Austrian oppression,
national organization. and were pre-
pared even before the start of the
conflict now terminated by armistice
10 strike the blows that have given
them freedom.
They opposed the mobilization of
the Austrian army, resisted induction
pr their manhood, despite courtmar-
bal and wholesale executions. and
khruout the war obstructed and I'M
dermined the Austrian administration
From their ranks, thru desertion or
capture, thousands of fighting men
Found their way into the Russian and
italian armies, where they turned
hnd fought the power that had con-
scripted them. By their spirit and
Efficiency as soldiers they gained rec
bgnition by the allies of Czecho- Slovak
Units, and before the war ended more
than 100000 Czecho-Slovak troops,
Under their own commanders. were
embattled for the allied cause in
France. Italy. European Russia and
Siberia.
10000 in Italy.
In Russia the Czecho-Slovaks have
10000 men under arms, some re-
rruited from the demobilized Russian
hrmy, others deserters from the Aus
TRAN forces or former Austrian pris-
pners of Russia released by the Ke-
rensky or Bolshevik governments. The
czecho- Slovak force in Italy is 10000
Ftrong, composed wholly of individ-
ials or units from the Austrian army
taken prisoner by the Italians. In
France the organization numbers
1000, including 5000 men from the
Czech army in Russia and 5000 vol
lnteers from the United States.
Czecho- Slovaks are ruling their lib
erated countrymen from their capital
n Prague today because they fos-
cred thru generations the Pickering
lame Of freedom which Austria and
Hungary attempted to snuff out in
L621. They maintained a succession
Pr secret political organizations, Gull
ninating in that which set afoot ac-
i've opposition to Austria in the early
lays of the war. and. thru propa-
Russia, laid the foundation for the in
dependent Czecho-Slovak force which
has held for more than a year the
olga front, preventing the Germans
md Bolsheviki from drawing on the
GOD supplies of Siberia.
First One Recognized.
OF new nations formed or in process
pr formation thru the upheaval of the
var. the Czecho Slovak was the first
70 win allied recognition, and the only
bne so far fully recognized by Amer
Ca Existing only on paper as long
Is the Hapsburg dynasty remained in
power, the republic became an actu-
llity with the dissolution of the
Austro- Hungarian empire. It's presi-
lent, Prof. Thomas G. Masaryk. for
nerly of the University of Prague and
ately stationed in Washington, thru
Pr Karl Kramarz. the vice president,
Eor years political prisoner charged
With treason against Austria, and his
associates in Prague. is administering
Ehe affairs of 100000 people occu-
pylns 4o,OOU square miles OF territory
approximately the size of New York
Btate).
Extending from Saxony and Ba-
Faria on the west to Ungvar and the
arpathian mountains on the east. a
distance of 320 miles. Czecho- Slovakia
euts swath 100 miles wide into the
Former Austro- Hungarian domain. It's
western half, comprising rae one time
austrian provinces of Bohemia Nor
via and silesia, follows the borders
pr Saxony and Prussia on the north
md skirts Bavaria on the south until
ne Austrian boundary is reached
when 1t swings thirty miles north OF
V1enna to the March river. The east
Brn half, formerly the Hungarian
province of Slovakia, follows the Dan.
1be from Pressburg to the river Ipola
twenty miles north of Budapest
where it turns northeastward to the
earpathians.N From >Ungvar. the east
ern limit. the line follows the ole
9aHcian border west to the Prussiar
ttne thirty miles west of Cracow Tn,
new state effectually cut Hungary of
from its former province. Galicia
which Is now claimed by Poland.
The republic boasts the Universit,
Of Prague. long a center of eastern
European culture. With indepen
dence. its representatives in this coun
Try declare. another university, 70
which large funds already have beef
subscribed, will be erected at Brunl
Ind countrywide public school sys
tenn VIII be established.
Plenty of exercise, fresh air,
II -