The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-10-06
ClECHOSlOVAKS
WORK IN AMERICA

me O&SCnOSlOFAkS AN''%'N's
- . magnificent service to the cause
" TIA allies in Russia and Siberia that
- attention of the entire civiiizeo
2DGfld has been turned upon. Bu'
neir achievements have not al oeen
- the field of battle. We nave IN
ANSNrica over 0on, 900 CEechosioNaRs
.lnhe story OF their contributions TO the
UanninE Of the war rs Also one OF great
kAfest
u Since we entered the war, the ef-
0s&s az the Cxechoslovak people in me
united States have been really nosanle,
eth a Americans, to wtr the war, and
- lovers Of their native land. TO Sc
IRE Its independence. But their dis~
ksst Of Germany and their industry
r behalf OF oppressed peoples date
Aek earlier than Americas paricipa-
ION in the struggle.
Associations of various kinds, social,
o1hlefic. benefit etc. had enilsteu
nn1onx the CzeehoTlovakF hefcfe the
He1J war negaT7 III t7tf' IN ! IA !
Hxr all tine Czech organizations were /
njtea into the Bohemian National AL
knce with headquarters at Chicago
IA all the .Slovak organizations were
norn hined to form the Slovak league
whtch had its main Offices at Fltts-
hrrC The object was twofotc FIRST /
- work with all their might and main
eNr the independence Of Bohemia I
6ovakia second. to ccunteract the
Ho-German propaganda in the Cnited
kAtes
Attempt to Corrupt Newspapers
This pro- German agitation tried It's
ksss to make use of the CzechosloVakS'
nrticularly their newspapers. Every
ko6y remembers the vigorous ehorts
- German agents to find expression (
Arourh the American press. At /
hmpts were made to buy up papers
- to secure their favor with adver-
npements. This extended also to the
bohe milan -Slovak newspapers. But
ngainst all the measures taken to
nm them over the Czechoslovaks pre- !
nnted 4 determined front Ihelr
lShty newspapers throughout the
ecuntry refused the paid matter with
1hich they were deluged by the Aus |
ko-HunEarian EN- hassy and came out
karticAlly unanimously for the cause
u the allies. /
They resisted other German and
Austrian advances. too. as long ago
- the first year of tbs war. II Will be
remembered that a drive was made by
herman and Austrian agents To secure
m embargo upon ammunition ana
ear supplies, which were essential TO
NE allies a campaign OF intimidation
men who had declared themselves in
nvor OF the allies or Of intervention
n their side: and sabotage WAS re-
sorted to in the munitions factories. TO
0estroy the war materials designed for
The allies. The CzeChosiovaks object
"a strenucusiy. Immense mass meet
tnes were held to protest against any
ombargo upon war materials And
Ehey made constant and successful ap-
f~IT rt--rrr n nyyr-
Dloyed in the mines and munitions fac
eories to refuse to strike and to report
HI cases Of sabotage to the authorities,
Lecturers Tour Country.
After America entered the war the
activities of the Czech oslovakS were
efreless Lecturers were sent out by
he central committee at Washington
through the country TO practically
avery Czech and Sfovak settlement. to
explain the purposes and ideals for
which our country was hghting. and
10 form a local organization. So suc-
nAssfuI was this work that there now
axist over 25a local patriotic societies
With . paidup membership Of over
100000
Moreover, evrrv orcariZa ton form
I'd 10 maintain the morale Of our peo-
pie, such As the state councils Or de-
Rense. has the loyal support Of tho
Nzechoslovaks Indeed, the president
pf the worr1ans division Of the Ne
braska state council OF defense is a
Czech woman. Miss Sarka Hrbkova, of
4he University Of Nebraska >
Each OF their local societies has a
Liberty Loan and a Red Cross commit
-koa attached To IL and acGnrd ding ia the
report of the treasury department for
me third loan the CzechoSlovaks com
krtbuted sal. $50 900, an enormous sum
when one considers that they belong.
generally speaking, to the "non-po
Messing mass"
CxechoSiovaks In Our Army.
But they were not satisfied TO give
only Of their means. AS soon as the
United States declared war, recruit
ing cam paign was undertaken to en-
list as many of their men AZ possible
IN our army. Today, It is estimated
there are 10000 men of CzechosIovak
extraction in the American army And
ahis In exclusive of several thousands
who had already joined the French
foreign legion.
Such record OF patriotic endeavor
3ustines desire to know more of the
Exechoslovaks in our midst why they
came to this country. where they are
living. and what trades they engage in
The hrst irnni grafton Of Czechs into
khe United States took place in the
Dx0's, as result Of the persecution hy