The Ordway new era., 1919-03-07


domestic uses, while the balance Is
sold. Gold. graphite, wolframite'
source of tungsten; silver. tin ana
uranium, very rare mineral. are
found in limited quantities, but even
these answer the country's demands.
The famous Skoda works of Pilsen.
which heretofore converted most OF
the Bohemian ore into field pieces Tor
the o-Hungarian and German
armies, and 1t Is well to remember thnt
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
Prngue Thus the foremost domestic
industry is supplied with raw mhte-
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
are focusing their attention to the sub
1ect of conserving the forests and for
providing from them satisfactory
timber supply. The range of the Bo-
hemian forests equals about 30 per
cent of the country's area. This, In
deed, Is considerable asset and
credltable showing. one Of which the
country may well be proud. FROM thu
existing forests the supply of lumber
will be equal to the necessary drain
for years to come because they are un-
der scientific management
In the manufacturing field the Bohe-
mian output maintained n position sec
ond to none. For example, Bohemian
cut glassware. In design, In quality
and in execution, is universally ac-
knowledged as being without peer.
1t never had rival or an equal; 1t Is
In class by itself.
Porcelain and pottery works are
numerous and their products are ex-
cellent. The factories of Carlsbad are
Justly famous and they supply the ex-
ternaI markets. The large shoe fac
tories turn out footwear that compares
favorably with the standards of the
world Lacemaklng is an ancient In
dustry which has been brought to
very high degree of perfection.
Textile Industry Important.
The textile industry of the Lower
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 S15O,QOO,OOO. The cotton re-
quired for. the spindles. almost all.
was imported from the United States
and yearly aggregated about 100000
bales.
The highways of Bohemia are ex-
cellent, and criss-cross the country,
connecting important cities. They are
suitable for pleasure as well as COM
mercial transportation. Their mile
age, proportionately, exceeds that of
any of the lands of the former dual
monarchy.
During the period of hostilities just
closed the Czecho-Slovaks absolutely
refused to, and in fact did not. cult
vate the Bohemian fields, because to
have done so would have aided the
enemy. If they did raise any crops
they were Immediately appropriated
by the Austro-Hungarian or German
authorities. Everything of value be-
longing to the people has been seized
or confiscated. Now they are us poor
as the proverbial church mouse-in
fact, destitute. They are courage.
GUS people. They will secure live
stock (cattle, sheep and hogs) and
seeds for spring planting. and retrieve
their former Industries.
The preJudices against Czecho-Slo-
d..
disappear. for these were purely
mythical and imaginary-they are un-
warranted. The republic and her peo-
pie will take their rightful place
among the nations Of the world. Their
products and manufactures will find
ready and welcome markets.