The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-07-11
CzECHS EAGER TO
|. FORM SEPARATE
i. S. ARMY UNIT
CONTINUED from First Page.l

NContinued from First Page.J
gion- Soon as permission was given
to them to enroll in the British army,
practically all OF military age in
Great Britain did so. In Russia they
begged for permission to enlist and
the Russian High Command, under
the ancient regime, supported their
demands They were invaluable in
the intelligence service and as scouts
because most of them understood Ger
man and were well acquainted with
Austrian army organization. But the
old government did all il could to i'm
pede the enlistment of Czechs in the
Russian army despite the urgent de-
mands of the High Command. Dur
ing the short period Of constitutional
rule in Russia, they succeeded in
forming several divisions.
National Army Created.
In France by the decree OF De-
eember. 1917. the Czechoslovak ma
uonal army was created. In Italy
similar rights were conceded to them
In April OF this year. Great Britain
recognized the Czechoslovak national
army. All three powers-Great Brit
ain, France and Italy-acl1nowledge
the Czechoslovak national committee,
under Craftsmanship Of Prof. Masaryk,
as the political organ Of that army
and concede to that committee certain
consular rights with regard to the
Czechosloyaks within their territories.
why can not America join its three
allies in recognizing the Incompatible
devotion Of this small but heroic ma
ton and organize a legion of Czechs?
NOT only are Czechs fighting as indie
penoent units, but whole regiments
nave deserted and Joined the armies
mat were battling their hereditary
Toes The Czechs' hostility to the
central powers was one of the chief
causes OF Austria's incapacity to win
victories. The shameful defeat which
the Austrian armies suffered in Ser
oia in December, 1914. was largely
caused by Czech regiments crossing
over to the Serbian side.
Similarly on the Russian front. en-
tire Czech regiments deserted. On
the Italian front the same thing oc-
CURED But that Czechs surrendered,
not out OF cowardice, but in order to
night their true enemies, is proved
by the fact that whenever given a
chance, they Immediately took up
arms on the allied side. Today in
Serbia a gallant force of 1900
Czeehoslovalos is the only impediment
that stands in the way OF complete
OF the 100000 patriots Of Bohemia
who surrendered to their Russian
brothers, they are battling for life.
They are fighting with the despera-
tion OF men who have sacrificed much
Tor the cause and who will give up
all IL need be.
Had to Defend Selves.
Moving eastward from Omsk to
WlanfrnGfnLr
revolutionary forces and had to de-
fend themselves. This they have done
successfully to date. Whether they
can win, though, is a grave problem.
To allow them to perish futiIely
seems something analogous to inter-
national misfortune. They are fight
ing not only Russians. but released
German and Austrian prisoners. who
would delight in the Shedding Of the
last drop of this patriotic blood.
Worldwide politics or policies of
great Importance doubtless have been
responsible for the failure to send aid
to this gallant group. To leave them
20 their fate seems unthinkable: to
fail to take advantage or the oppor-
tuntty created by their heroic con-
duct appears inexplicable. II any
action is taken, it should be taken
SR1~AAss ONASE "lSc LndL all TOO COM
mon epitaph, too late" will aopear
on the tombstone OF this band 4 val
liant exiles fighting for- thafie, e for
which all the allies so
many sacrifices
This far-off Serbian epic N the
Czech Is only one chapter in little
known history of what this nation
has done since Wilhelm, like a mad
dog, ran amuck in the world. II Is A
people of no mean land, a people held
in involuntary servitude for centuries.
OF all Austrian nationalities, Czechs
stand highest in both education and
economic achievements. In politics
there is a moral unity and a cohesion
OF aims among them hardly euualed
by any other nationality. Their entire
history Is one single struggle against
German and Magyar performance.
They know the German mind and
methods.
Bohemia, the home Of the Czecho-
Slovak nation, is four times the area
of Belgium, with a population of
12.OO0.0OO. She never surrendered
her independence. As a measure Of
protection against Turkish agrees
sion. she Joined the Austria Hungary