The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-09-03
UNITED STATES
HAS RECOGNIZED
GOVERNMENT OF
.CzECHO-S -SLOVAKS
National Council the De
Facto Leaders of the
New Nation
NOW In PARIS
Territorial Boundaries All
Now Included in Aus
tria-Hungary
HEADQUARTERS
NOW In PARIS

Washington, Sept. 3.-The United
States has recognized the Czecho-
slovak peoples as co-belligerent
nation in the war against Germany
and Austro Hungary
Prof. T. G.. ,Masaryk, president of
the Czecho-Slovak national council,
and conmander-in-ch chief Of the
Czeeho-Slovak armies fighting in
Russia, France and Italy, met Secre-
tary Lansing at the state department
at noon today and was formally in
formed OF President Wilson's action
Great Britain, France and Italy al
ready have recognized the Czecho-
Slovaks, and Japan has given i'm
piled recognition by participation in
the Siberian expedition which is aid
ing the Czecho-S -Slovaks and loyal
Russians in establishing the east
ern front. The headquarters OF the
nation are at present in Paris but
it's territorial boundaries, include
GaHcia, all now under Austrian
Bohemia, Moravia and portion of
domination.
In extending reeognition Secretary
Lansing said:
teThe Czecho- Slevak peoples hay
Ing taken up arms against the Ger
man and Austrian empires and hav-
ing placed organized armies in the
field which, are waging war against
those empires under officers of their
own nationality. and, in accordance
with the rules and practices Of civil
ized nations; and -
The Czeoho SlovalSs having in
prosecute their independent pur-
poses in the present war, confided
supreme political authority to the
Czecho- -Slovak national council;
The government Of the United
States recognizes that a state of
belligerency exists between the
fCzecho- -Sloyaks thus organized and
the German and Austro- Hungarian
empires.
''It also recognizes the national
council as q defacto belligerent gov
eminent clothed with proper author
ity to direct the military and politi-
cal affairs Of the Czecho-S Iovaks.
1.-THE government OF the United
States further declares. that it is
prepared to enter formally into re-
lations with the de facto govern
ment, thus recognized for the pur-
pose Of prosecuting the war against
the common enemy the empires Of
Germany and Austria Hungary"
The Czecho- -Slovaks are two divis-
ions OF a race now estimated to num-
Der about. $500, 900 people. They lived
in southern Central Europe long be-
fore the advent Of Christianity and
in spite OF generations OF subjuga-
ton, have successfully resisted Ger
man influences. ar
The chief armies OF the nation are
the forces which were fighting with
the Russians and, refusing to dis
band when the Russians fell to
pieces, made their way into Siberia,
hoping ito reach France and take
their place on the western front.
Attacks by the Bo1shevili, leading
former Austrian and German pris-
oners, turned the Czecho- -Slovaks
into a fighting force around which
loyal Russians might rally.
Tremendous political significance
is attached in diplomatic quarters
by today's action by tho United
States. It means that America with
the allies, will go into the peace con-
ference recognizing as an indepen-
dent nation and ally large section
of the present Austro- Hungarian
empire. 80.