The daily progressive-miner., 1918-08-31
CZECHO- SLOvAkS
AID The ITALIANS
(By Judge Ben B. Lindsey.)


During my recent visit to Italy l
heard constantly about the Czecho-
SIovaks and the aid they are giving
to the Italian army. This was mat
ter of the greatest interest to me.
Although l knew something about the
dauntless vigor of these brave people,
had not appreciated the Importance
Of the work they are doing for the
Italians and for all the allied forces.
first encountered number of the
Czccho-Slovak soldiers one morning
il Captain Merriam's office in Rome.
When they came in, | could not help
noticing them because of their gallant
bee ring and splendid physique. L in
CURED who they were, and was told
that they were frequent visitors in
we rendering valuable aid in car
r.ing propaganda among the Austrian
forces. They have also given impor
tant information to the Italian gener-
al staff, and have supplied data which
proved extremely useful in turning
the recent Austrian offensive into
complete fiasco
After this, l saw a good many
Czecho- Slovak soldiers, both in Rome
and on the Italian battle front. And
must say that | saw no finer, more
soldierly fellows in all my trip through
Europe The boldness they have
shown in leaving the Austrian ranks
IS really amazing Thoroughly con-
need that Austria-Hungary has no
Ger purpose. toward the Czecho-Slo-
vak people than to Cypress and eX-
p,o:c them, the Czechs in the Austrian
~ have deserted Wholesale and
Joined the Italian forces. On one
s.ngle day, so | was told, as many as
1000 CZecho-Slovaks deliberately left
ne Austrians and entered the Italian
camp The total number of Czecho-
5,9vaks now in Italy, including 10000
Sc diers, | was assured was not far
short of 10000.
OF course. these men are primed
with all sorts of military information.
They were able to tell the Italians
much about the Austrian plans of at
tack prior to the launching Of the Of
fensive The Italians knew the day
and in some cases even the exact
hour at which certain Austrian move
ments were to be launched Their
victories on the Piave in which the
cooperation OF the Czecho-Slovaks was
a big item, have gone far to console
the Italians for the bitter events of
Caporetto.
Besides actually fighting for the
allies, the Czecho-Slovaks have been
jassiduously spreading allied propa-
ganda through the Austrian armies.
Just how they are able to do this do
not know, but they undoubtedly have
some sort of underground railroad
Some of the material has been drop
pCU from UdllOOuS anu II
is we'll know that the entire Aus,
trian army is we'll permeated with
Czechs influences and the Czech are
now unreservedly united against the
Central Powers. The morale OF the
Austrian army is at very low ebb just
now. From what l saw and heard,
believe that if it were today possible
TO spare troops from the western front
| and guarantee them reserves and
equipment, successful offensive coult
be launched against Austria this fal
and the Dual Monarchy could be eff
fectually put out of the war. Witt
Austria out of it, the war could be
ended a year sooner.
The hatred which the Austrians fee
for the Czechs is almost as intense al
the Germans hatred of England Tit
). Austrians feel that the Czechs have