Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-10-30
INDEPENDENCE HALL
CRADLE OF NEW NATION
Bell Rings and Announces Liberty
for Oppressed Nations of Middle
Europe; Great Event,

Philadelphia. Oct % A new born
democracy was proclaimed here today a
day or two ago for the IS ,UU, 900 people oi
the oppressed nations of Middle Europe.
Assembled in Independence Hall
America cradle Of liberty, the accredited
representatives OF these States rang out
defiance to autocracy, aristocraey and
imperialism, and promulgated declara-
tion of independence In the very chamber
IN which the declaration Of i9T6 was read
by the colunIsts
To fittingly proclaim that the iS Elav
States Of the German Emperor once
subseryient Nlittel- Europa had united
under n banner Of their own and shaken
of the yoke Of domination, the Md
European Union had a new liberty bell
cast as we'll as a new national flag, which
was unfurled alongside The Stars and
Stripes flying on the roof OF independence
Hall
As the new bell pealed forth It's chimes
Of liberty for the Slay nations, Professor
Masaryk president Of the Midi
pean Union, read the declaration from
the steps Of America birthplace III
freedom Previously tho document had
been signed by the representatives. OF
the new federation, composed of Czccho-
sIovaks, Ikralnans. lithuanians, and
lugoslavs
Liberty for all the world and all the
inhabitants thereof Is prominently IN
scrlbed on the new liberty bell, which IS a
replica of the bell which rang ont Amerl-
ca s declaration liz years ago.
The new declaration Of Independence
vas signed on the same table where
Hancock, Adams. jefferson, franklin and
hose others Of the patriot fathers signed
the immortal pact that created this Re
public. Those present watched With
interest each of the representatives, as
his name Was called step to the table and
put down his name lttarmar Ben AY
represented the Jews Of Palestine. Mires-
law Sichinsky the tkralnains, Captain
Naslo Stosa, the RumanIans.
TEXT OF THE DECLARATION
Following IS the text of the new declara-
ton of independence:
In convention assembled at lndepend-
ence Hall, Philadelphia. Pennsylvania
United States of America, on Oct 26, 1918,
We. representing together more than j0.-
0O0.e0O people constituting u cham of
nations lying between the Baltic the
AdrlAtic. and the Black Seas comprising
Czcchosovaks, Poles, .Iugoslays, tkraln-
lans. | o-Russians Iithuanlans Ru-
manians, Italian Irredentlsts, nredeem-
ed Greeks, Albanans and Iionists, wholly
or partly subject to alien dominion, deep
Is appreeIatIng tle aid and assistance
gwen our peoples by the government and
people Of America and OF the Entente
Al'ies. on behalf OF ourselves and orr
brethren at home, do hereby solemnly
declare that We place our all peoples and
resources at the disposal OF our allies for
Use against our common enemy, and IN
order that the whole world may know
what We deem are the essential and
fundamental doctrines which shall bc
embodied in the constitutions hereafter
adopted BY the peoples of our respective
independent nations As we'll as the pur-
poses which snail become our common
and united actions, accept and subscribe
To the following rs basic principles for all
Tree republics
l. That all governments drive their
just answer from the consent OF the
governed
>. That il Is the inaienable right OF
every people To organize their own
government on such principles and IN
such form as they believe will best pro-
mote their welfare, safety, and happiness
3 That the free aud natural develop
ment of the ideals of any State shall be
allowed to pursue their normal and tln-
hindcred COURSE unless such course
harms or threatens the common interest
OF all
4 That there shall be no secret di-
plomacy, and all proposed treaties and
agreements between nations should be
made public prior 10 their adoption and
ratification.
). That We believe our peoples having
kindred ideals and purposes, should CO.
ordinate their efforts 10 insure the liberty
Of their Individual nations for the further
ance of their common welfare, provided
such . union contributes to the peace and
welfare Of the world
That there should be formed d league
OF the nations of the world III a common
and binding agreement for genuine and
practical cooperation IL secure justice
and therefore peace among nations
In the course Of otIr history We have
been subject to and victims Of aggressive
and selfish nations and autoeratic dynas-
ties and held in subiection by force OF
arms.
We have suffered destruction OF our
cities, violation of our homes and lands,
and we have maintained our ideals only
by stealth, in spite Of the tyranny fr our
oppressors.
We have been deprived OF proper repre-
sentaiion and fair trial. We have been
denied the right Of free speech and the
right freely to assemble and petition for
the redress of our grievances We have
been denied free and friendly intercourse
with our sister States. and our men have
been impressed in war against their
brothers and friends Of kindred races.
The signers of this declaration and
OF other independent
peoples who may subscribe their names
hereto do hereby pledge on behalf Of
their respective nations, hat they will
strive to the end hat these
wrongs shall be righted, that The suffer
ngs of the world war shall not have been
n vain. and thai the principles here SET
'orth shall be incorporated III the organic
avs of whatever governments our re-