South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-10-19


wAsHINGTON. oct 19.-Inde-
pendence Of the Czecho-Slovak ma
ton was declared formally today ~
the Czecho-SIOvak national council.
recognized by the United states and
the entente allies as a beligerent de
facto government The declaration.
renouncine allegiance 20 the Haps-
burg dynasty and announcing prin-
ciples for the foundation OF a re-
public. was issued in Paris and a
copy was handed TO Pres't Wilson
by J. CHAR OF the councils staff in
" Washington.
The document is signed by DR..
Thomas G.. Nasaryk, president OF the
council as premier and minister OF
finance. and by other officers of the
provisional government. In this dec
laration OF Independence. the officers
OF the provisional government de-
clare:
In sympathy With Allies.
We cannot and Will not continue
TO live under the direct or indirect
rule OF the violatOrs Of Belgium.
France and Serbia, the would be
Iuurderers OF Russia and Roumania.
the murderers Of tens Of thousands
of civilians and soldiers OF our blood
and the accomplices in numberless
unspeakable crimes committed in
this war against humanity by the
two degenerate and irresponsible
dynasties. We will not remain a part
of a state which has no justification
for existence. and which refusing 70
accept the fundamental principles
Of modern world organization, re-
mains only an artificial and immoral
political structure. hindering every
movement toward domestic and So
,ial progress. The Hapsburg dynasty
weighed down by a huge inheritance
OF error and crime, is a perpetual
menace 10 the peace OF the world
and we deem it our duty toward hu-
mainly and civilization 20 aid in
bringing about its downfall and de-
struction.
"SacrilegiOus Claims"
We reject the sacrilegious asser-
tion that the power of the Hapsburg
and Hohenzollern dynasties is Of di-
vine origin: we refuse TO recognize
the divine rights of kings. our ma
ton elected the Hapsburgs 20 the
throne OF Bohemia OF it's own free
VIII and by the same right deposes
hem We hereby declare the Haps-
burg dynasty unworthy of leading
our nation and deny all OF their
claims 20 rule in the Czecho-SlOvak
land. which We here and now de-
-. -h-r t.-~oFortL - o. sr.. -
independent people and nation.
We accept and shall adhere TO
The ideals OF modern democracy. as
they have been the ideals OF our ma
ton for centuries. We accept the
American principles as lad down
BY Pres't Wilson: the prir ciples of
liberated mankind. OF the actual
equality OF nations and OF govern
ments deriving all their Just power
from the consent OF governed We.
the nation OF Comenius cannot but
accept these principles expressed in
the American declaration OF inde-
pendence; the principles of Lincoln.
and the declaration of the rights OF
man and Of the citizen. For these
principles our nation shed its blood
I'm the memorable Hussite wars five
hundred years ago. for these same
principles beside her allies our ma
ton is shedding its blood today in
Russia, Italy and France
1--WE shall outline only the main
principles OF the constitution OF the
echo Slovak nation; the fnal de-
cision as 10 the constitution itself
falls to the legally chosen represen-
tatives of the liberated and united
people.
Will be Republic.
The Czecho-Slovak state shall be
a republic. In constant endeavor for
progress il will guarantee complete
freedom OF conscience. religion and
science. literature and art. speech
the press and the right OF assembly
and petition. The church shall be
separated from the state. Our de-
mOcracy shall rest on universal SUI.
frage. women shall be placed on AT
equal footing with men politically
socially. and culturally. The right.
of the minority shall be safe guard.
ed by proportional representation
national miuorities shall enjoy equa
rights. The government shall be par
l.amentary in form and shall recog
nize the principles OF initiative anC
referendum and the standing army
will De replaced by militia.
Reforms Planned.
The CzeCho-S lOvak nation vii
carry out far reaching social anC
economic reforms. the large estate,
r,-trf - v-a4..r,-aa TO- h,r-- --1-,.4--.