The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-04-12

ton is smelted in local furnaces fol
domestic uses, while the balance iE
sold. Gold, graphite, wolframite, 3
source of tungsten; silver, tin anc
uranium, very rare mineral, are
| found In limited quantities, but ever
| these answer the cOuntry's demands.
The famous SkOda works of Pnsen'
which heretofore converted most OF
the Bohemian ore into field pieces for
the AustrO-Hungarian and German
| armies, and it is well to remember that
these shops were operated exclusive
ly during the present war by German
mechanics. will hereafter devote their
energies to the production of indus
trially useful machinery. The same Is
true of the extensive machine shops OF
Prague. Thus the foremost domestic
industry is supplied with raw mate
rails from its own lands, an advantage
of very considerable economic value,
which, in turn, will furnish machinery
to local industries.
Economists throughout the world
ject of conserving the forests and for
providing from them a satisfactory
timber supply. The range of the Bo-
hemian forests equals about 81 per
cent of the country's area. This, In.
deed, Is a considerable asset and
creditable showing, one Of which the
country may well be proud. From the
existing forests the supply of lumber
will be equal to the necessary drain
for years to come because they are I'm.
der scientific management.
In the manufacturing field the Bohe-
milan output maintained a position sec
ond to none. For example, Bohemian
cut glassware, in design, III quality
and in execution, is universally ac
knowledged as being without peer.
1t never had rival or an equal; 1t is
in a class by itself.
Porcelain and pottery works are
and their products are ex-
cellent. The factories of Carlsbad are
justly famous and they supply the ex.
ternal markets. The large shoe fac
tories turn out footwear that compares
favorably with the standards of the
world. Lacemaking Is an ancient in.
dustry which has been brought to q
very high degree of perfection.
Textile Industry Important
The textile industry of the Lowe.
Elbe is very important factor in the
life of Bohemia. Before the war more
than 100000 persons earned their live
lihood in the numerous mills. The
value of the annual output was in ex
cess Of $15O.OOO,OOO. The cotton re-
1uired for the spindles, almost all
was imported from the United States
and yearly aggregated about 50O,ON
lales.
The highways Of Bohemia are e1
cellent, and criss-cross the country
important cities. They are
suitable for pleasure as well as com.
nercial transportation. Their mile
,ge, proportionately, exceeds that OF
my Of the lands Of the former dual
During the period Of hostilities just
.losed the Czecho-Slovaks absolutely
'efused to, and in fact did not. cult
ate the Bohemian fields, because t.
AVE done so would have aided the
,nemy. II they did raise any crops
hey were Immediately appropriated
y the Austro-Hungarian or German
Everything of value be-
onging to the people has been seized
r conflscated. Now they are as poor
o the proverbial church mouse-in
act, destitute. They are a courage.
US people. They will secure live
took (cattle. sheep and hogs) and
eeds for spring planting. and retrieve
heir former industries.
The prejudices against Czecho- Slo-
axis. Bohemians and Bohemia win
isappear. for these were purely
MYTHICAL and imaginary-they are un.
The republic and her peo-
lie will take their rightful place
lnonS the nations of the world Their
roducrs and manufactures will find
eady and welcome markets.