Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-14
REVOLT IN AUSTRIA
BECOMING SERIOUS
Outbreak OF Czccho-Slovaks Indi-
Gates Readiness to Eight Hun
To Death.
AMERICAN IDEALS FAVORED
Some Figures as to Number OF
CHechs and Sloynks In Russia.
State department SympathizcS
With Movement.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch.

Ing more and moro evident every day
that the CHecho-Slovak revolt against
Austria Hungary, one on the one hand,
and the presence Of an army OF that
nationality in Russia determined to
fight the central powers to the death,
on the other. Is to have most inn
portant bearing on tho future OF the
war.
These two circumstances may not
prove decisive in bringing about the
defeat OF Germany and Austria. but
they will probably have great weight
in shaping tho events OF the coming
year. That the government Of the
United States realizes that the Czecho-
Slovaks are factor to be rcckoned
with is indicated by the fact that the
state Department has officially cx-
pressed Americas sympathy for the
Czech movement for absolute inde-
pendence.
In making this movement the United
States gives the aspirations OF these
oppressed people the same standing
that the Poles have In all allied peace
plan. and nothing that this govern
rnent has done has excited tho en-
thus!asm not only OF the Czechs in
this country. but Of those in Austria
and Hungary as this stand on the par
Of the President II has not only given
backbone and courage 10 the Czecho-
who have migrated 50 America but -
is no doubt largely Responsible for tho
presence IN Russia OF n CzechO- Slovak
army pledged TO support the allics 10
tho last man.
The fact might be noted here that
the Czecho Slovak revolt against
Austria Is unparalleled in the expert.
ence OF any other belliEercnt In this
war. II Is the only Instance where any
great body OF warning nations popu-
lat;on has deliberately deserted the
mother country and GO over 10 the
enemy as far as It dared 20. ireland
has been recalc!trant The German
Poles have rebcilei to certain sx-
tent but In neither case has the de-
lection been even rnea.urcahiy as wide
spread "a that or the Czecho- Slovaks.
APPROXIMATELY TEN MILLION
or THESE IN AUSTRIA
There arc approximately 10000, 900
o. these people in Austria and Hun
gary To the outside world they are
generally known as Bohemians but as
matter OF history. tho Eohernians
compose only one-fourth OF the total.
The Czechs arc Austrian subjects and
occupy three provinces OF tho original
kingdom OF Austria. that IS Moravia
Bohemia and Silesia Since the seven
teenth century they have been under
the iron rule OF the Austrians and
were forced against their VIII into this
war against Russia and later against
the other allied powers.
The Slovaks are subjects OF Hun
gary and occupy one province o, mat
part Of the dual empire. and have been
under the heel % the iungarians for
an even longer period than have been
the czcchs The fact is. the Czech
aud the Slovak races are the same
They have the same origin. the same
tongue. :hc same customs. and the same
grievances against their oppressors
They have united In their determine
ton TO become free people with
government OF their own and an op-
ro-tun;ty TO work out their own dcs-
Tiny in their own way. because Of this
union. they have become known as
tzecho-s!ovaks not only in Europe
hu, throughout the whole world
But this does not explain the pres
ence OF a Czecho-S!ovak army in Rus
sia. circumstance about which ,her.
IS more or less widespread misundc--
Standing. The fact is that this army
is composed az Czecho- Siovaks held
prisoners O, war by Russia and who
refused to b. exchanged when peace
between Austria and Russia Was de-
c!ared at Brest LitOvsk
MANY GAVE Up LIFE
IN THE PRISON CAMPS
In all about 500 900 Czecho- Slovaks
were captured BY the Russians in the
several campaigns agains, Austria.
Many OF them died in prison camps.
Many others we're forcihly de!iveret
Into the hands OF Austria when tn.
exchange OF prisoners took place. But
great body OF these prisoners OF
war were in Siberia and could not be
reclaimed by Austria.
Even while the war was in progress
between Russia and Austria many OF
the captured or surrendered Czecho-
Slovaks sought service in the Russian
army Every one Of them knew that he
would be shot a descrtcr and a
traitor II taken by the Austrians but
this did not deter them. GrudginEly
the Russians gave permission for the
formation OF a Czecho- Slovak legion,
sort of experiment. This legion
fought Eallantly as far as Cracow In
1915 This legion was known as the
Hussite brotherhood, and II grew TO a
regiment before the end Of 1915 and
was commanded by John Illus. Later a
second regiment was formed and still
later third. Thousands OF Czecho
Slovak prisoners tried to join the Rus
sian co!ors. hut the old monarchy Was
stil dubious regarding them.
kERENSkY PROVED REAL
FRIEND TO TRIBES
1t was not until the regime OF Kercn-
sky that the Czachs and Slovaks were
given thelr real chance. Brigadcs Of
them were formed. then Il division and
finally an army corps And II Is the
remnant of this corps. reinforced nv
thousands OF other Czecho Slovaks that
is now marching toward Vladivostok
In the hope of being transshipped
across the Pacific to America and from
America to the French battle fields
In the course of this march the
Czecho-Slovak army, however, has run
afoul of the Bo!sheviki. The prisoner
army has remained neutral regarding
all Russia's domestic affairs. but II has
demanded unmolestcd passage through
liberia. This the Bolshcvik govern
nent has opposed and for the time
being the two forces are in conflict.
The CZecho-S lovaks would. of course.
prefer to remain in Russia and unite
with the Russians themselves In fight
ing the central powers. but IL Russia
is to remain at peace. 1t is the fixed
determination OF this alien army 10
tight it's way through to the Pacific
coast and place itself at the disposal
of the allies.