New-York tribune., 1919-01-29
President of New Republic
Declares Bread and Coal
Will Stop Bolshevism
Prague Honors Wilson
Little Nation Has Avoided
Red Terrorism That Has
Swept Nearby Countries
Ncw Yori Tribune
GzIT, N,.,.,-

Special Cdbte Serrice
(Copyrieht. 1919 e;ew York Tribune Inc)
PRAGUE, Jan. 25. The Czecho-Slo-
wax Republic is a peaceful island in
the midst of Bolshevik- ridden Central
Europe. Poland, Austria and Germany
are in condition of chaos, in some
cases rivalling the worst phases of the
French Revolution. To these scenes
of violence aud disorder the new
Czecho- Slovak state presents an agree
able contrast.
Yet it must not be inferred that all
IS we'll in Prague to-day. President
Masaryk, who is having busy and
anxious time directing the policies of
the government. said:
"Our pressing needs arc two-bread
and coal You can scarcely realize how
much we depend upon the output Of
our coal mines and how essential it is
that operations should not be in
terrupted. Some of our largest mines
are running at only a third of their
capacity, and yet we must have coal
to supply the iron works of Moravia,
to run railway locomotives and to heat
houses
"To tide over until this years har-
vest we must have food from the out
side. Since President Wilson has
promised that Central Europe will be
fed. we are naturally relying upon the
United States for the greatest assist
ance."
Or. Masaryk has the confidence of
his people to an extraordinary degree.
This is true of the German element as
we'll as the Czechs A German mer-
chant grumbed about the republic, but
said "Masaryk is undoubtedly the man
for President, although it is a pity he
has not more power"
But however we'll the people may
be satisfied with their new President
and government, their patience is sure
to be sorely tried during the coming
days Of reconstruction. 1t is not un-
likely that there will be spurts of Boil
shcvsm similar to the recent attack on
The Premier.
The wars end finds the land of the
Czecho- Slovaks sorely harassed 1t
has undergone devastation very
thorough and painful. The Austrian
government took the horses, cattle and
oxen from the farms, grain from the
barns and vegetables from the market
bins in the cities. All motor vehicles
were requisitioned. To-day there is
not a motor taxicab in Prague.
EXhlaration over the successful out
come of the revolution has created a
spirit of jubilee. There is conside rable
gayety in Prague. The Narodni Divad-
10, or peoples theatre, is crowded
nightly. Emmy Destinn, who is sing
ing there, occasionally travels out
from Prague TO the smaller cities,
where she gives patriotic recitals of
Bohemian music
The American flag is seen every
where in Prague. 1t is as much in evi-
dence as the red and white banner of
the Czecho-Slovak state One of the
principal thoroughfares has been
named Wilson Street. Bridges also
bear his name, and the railroad station
formerly known as the Franz Josef
IS now the Wilson Station.
A recent event to which considerable
Importance was attached was the
American concert given in Smetana
Hall by Mary Cavan, who has been in
Prague since the beginning Of the war.
The programme consisted partly of
American patriotic songs President
Masaryk was present.
George Creel. who is also here, e.
poets to leave shortly for Cracow,
budapest and other cities of Central
Europe. Captain Voska, of the Ameri
can General Staff, arrived with the
Creel party, which came across Ans
tria on troop train. Captain Voska
viii be joined here immediately bv
other officers, who will assist in brine
ing necessary food supplies to Bo.
hema.