The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-07-25
RECOGNITI0 OF THE CZECH
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT

Contributed by E. E. S. representative
of the Bohemian National Alliance Of
the United States)
During the last few months the
Czechoslovak cause has gained one Sue
cess after another. Last winter, after
the Bolsheviki came to power in Rus
sla, IL was at its lowest ebb. 1t has
been to Russia the one great Slav. State
that the Czechoslovas looked principal.
| ly in their aspirations for indepen-
dence, and Russia failed them signally.
The Internationalistic dreamers who
emerged on top out of the Russian
chaos had no use for national aspir
atoms OF oppressed peoples, even
though they were their kinsmen. The
desertion OF Russia had also this effect
that the Western Allies, being greatly
weakened, sought to even up The bal
aLce by alternating Austria from Ger
many, and as result discouraged the
radical solution OF the Austrian prob
lem and favored patching up of the
disharmony on the Danube by i'm
practicable schemes of federation I'M
der the Hapsburgs.
And then new champion arose for
the Slavs and Latins of Austria and
Italy. Rome was the place where an
organization was created opposed to
the very existence Of Austria Hungary
and working for reconstruction Of
Central Europe on the principle that
the zone Of small nations extending
from the Baltic to the Adriatic should
be erected into firm barrier against
the German scheme of world conquest
by the construction Of completely in
dependent states.
The Congress of Rome was one of the
means adopted for a realization OF this
plan, ard the organization of the
Czechoslovak Army in Italy, TO be fol-
lowed by the arming of Jugoslav and
Roumanian volunteers, was another
important step. Then came the adj
hesion of the United States to this pro.
gramme, then the announcement of the
Czechoslovak National Council, and
Secretary Lansing's second statement
clearing up beyond all doubt the at
titude of the United States.
But what strengthened the Czecho-
slovak cause even more than the. Q
general considerations, which apply
equally to all subject racesIof Austria
Hungary, was the splendid conduct of
the Czechoslovak Army in Russia.
The Allies saw that in this race they
hold an Ally who not merely asked for
help from them, but who was able to
add much strength to the cause of
liberty.
The statesmen of Rome, Paris, Lon
don and Washington realized that these
people have made good their claim 10
be accepted as bona fide ally. They
possessed body to which was given
without compulsion the adherence of
all members of the race wherever
scattered. The Czechoslovak nation
al COUNSEL was recognized by the Bo-
hemians and Slovaks living beyond the
boundaries Of the Central Empires as
the one authoritative leader in the light
for independence. The people at
home, through their elected repre-
sentatiYcs, acted consistently and unan-
imously in accordance with the pro.
gramme laid down by the Paris Coun,
Gil, and while the council does not yet
control any part of the Czechoslovak
territory, it disposes OF armies in Rus
STA, France and Italy, and it is com
posed of men whose character and po-
litical judgment is highly esteemed by
the statesmen with whom they come in
contact.
And so the great step was taken by
France, the sincere friend of Bohemia
from the days before the war. Upon
the occasion of the presentation of the
flag given by the city of Paris to the
DIST regiment of the Czechoslovak
army in France, the French Govern
ment through its Minister of Foreign
Affairs recognized the independence Of
the Czechoslovak nation as actually
existing of right, and recognized the
C2echoslovak National Council as its
provisional government. 1t is The first
instance in which one of the great
powers of the Entente has recognized
The bell gerency OF one of the subject
people of the Hual Monarchy through
its authoritative committee abroad. The
precedent-making declaration of the
French government is as follows: "At
ne moment when the first unit of the
Czechoslovak Army in France prepares
itself, after receiving It's flag to go to a
sector on the front with its French
brothers in arms, the French Govern
ment considers it just and necessary to
proclaim the rights OF your nation to
independence aud to recognize officially
the National Council as the supreme
representative of the future Czecho-
| slovak Government ~