The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-03-14
INDEPENDE N &c
FROM AUSTRIA Is
DEMANDED FOR
THECZECH NATION
Representatives at Prague
Declare Their Rights to
Self-determination
UNANIMOUS VOTE
FOR RESOLUTION
Bitterly Condemn Tyran-
nous Rule and Cruelty
of Magyars
AUSTRIAN CENSoRS
SUPPRESS REPORT
All Nations, Great or
Small, Their Plat
form
tRy Associated Press.l

Washington, March il. - Repre-
sentatives of the Czech nation at
Prague have made public declara-
ton of their nations unshakable will
and unassailable right to self
discrimination and complete political
independence from Austria. All re-
ports of the proceedings of the Czech
representatives were ordered sup
pressed by the Austrian censors but
details have reached the Czecho-
Slovak national council here and to-
day were made public.
The constituent assembly OF the
lands Of the Bohemian crown met in
Prague, Jan s, with more than $50
Czech deputies of the Austrian
reichsrat, and the national diets OF
Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, elect
ed by the free choice of the people
of the Czech lands. in attendance,
constituting legal representation
of the whole nation. tK'E.
All Nationalities Eos Il.
The declaration, adopted by
unanimous vote. is looked upon as
proof Of the sentiment of the whole
Czech -Slovak nation and OF their
attitude toward the government and
ruling classes of Austria. II cites the
declaration Of the Czechs at the time
of the Franco -Prussian war when
they said: "AIl nationalities, be they
great or small have the same right
to self-determination and in the
same manner they must be consider
ed equal
Continuing the present declaration.
states:
I'VE. the representatives OF the
Czech nation. true to the principles
established by our. predecessors, are
greeting with JOY the fact that all
states built on the principles of
democracy. whether belligerent or
neutral also consider this right OF
free self determination Of nations to
be q guarantee OF a general and last
ing peace.
like them. New Russia, in her at
tempt at q general peace, has also
placed this principle of self
determination of nations among the
fundamental conditions of peace and
would. In accordance with this
principle, accord all nations a free
dom of determining their way of life
and of deciding whether they want
to form an independent state Of their
own, or unite in one state with other
Deprived OF Freedom.
we announce with bitterness that
our nation was deprived of its inde-
pendence and OF its right Of self
determination. Our Slovak branch
has become the prey of Magyar
brutality. and unheard Of violence.
Our nation is one with all the
democracies OF the world in its desire
for general and lasting peace. The
right OF a free national life and of
self determination of nations, great
and small, no matter to which state
they belong, must become the friends
OF all future international law, and
or all harmonious co. partnership Of
nations. and at the some time an in
valuable possession which win save
humanity from the repetition Of a
world conflict
I'VE solemnlv protest against the
refusal OF the right of self-determina-
tion Of nations at the conference at
Brest-I.ieovsk' and demand that. in
compliance with this right, all ma
tions and therefore. also the Czeehs
be allowed to participate and defend
their rights at the peace confer
ence."