South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-03-13
BABY REPUBLIC
LOVES AMERICA
Bohemia is Probably Most
Pro-AIIy Country in
World Nowadays.
BY FRANK j. TAYLOR.

PRAGUE, Czecho-Slovalia, Feb.
| (By mail. )-Bohemia probably is the
most pro-ally country in the world
nowadays. At least you have that
impression when you arrive in
Prague, coming from Berlin. The
CZecho- Slovaks have not been allow
ed to give vent to their feelings dur
ing the four years Of war, when they
were dominated by Austria, and they
are making up for IT now.
Prague is mass of allied flags.
stuck in every possible corner along
the crooked streets, and in inches
OF the quaint buildings. American
and the new CZecho-Slovak republic
flags predominant, though there are
thousands of English, French and
Italian flags. When the Austrian
empire finally collapsed, thousands
of flags suddenly were brought from
hiding, many OF them printed on
paper. since cloth enough was impos-
sible to find.
Every store has two attractions, a
picture of Pres't Wilson, and with
him Pres't Masaryk, of the new re-
public To the Czecho-S lovaks they
are the greatest men of history, and
both are universally admired almost
to the extent of worship.
Organize Committees.
The CZecho-Slovaks have organ
lied committees to look after for
eigners. Some Of the most infiuen-
tial university people are serving
voluntarily on these committees and
there is nothing they will not do to
assist visitors from allied countries.
Everyone in Czecho-Slovakia is
looking forward to the arrival Of the
first official missions from other
countries. The Italians were the firSt
TO cross Austria and break the iso
lation of this stranded member of
the entente. An American mission
under the leadership of Capt. Man
ual Voska, bringing = train OF trucks
loaded with medical supplies and
food from Italy, is enroute. French
and British missions are expected.
The Czecho-Slovaks manifest their
loyalty to the entente in every way
possible. They have undertaken
protection of all allied subjects with
in the former Hapsburg empire, and
assist their travelling and work by
means OF station officers and repre-
sentatives in Vienna, Budapest and
other cities.
The spirit OF the Czecho-S lovaks
is at high ebb and is contagious.
Everyone i'm the land, with the ex-
ception OF the Germans. is jubilant
at freedom after 400 years" as the
new born liberation Is called. The
people OF the land have sa many pri-
vations as other inhabitants OF the
defeated countries. but Joy at being
liberated
German Is TabOOed.
German is a language tabooed
among the Czecho-SlOvaks, not by
decree, but by public feeling. Some
times II works difficulties for for
eigners who know no Slav tongue
Go into a restaurant and order your
meal in German, and the walters
probably will not understand you at
all. You may not be served, unless
you are an American and don't
know Bohemian. and therefore must
speak German. Then they will talk
German and understand It, and will
bring you anything they can get. The
same IS true of shops.
Prague is a very old city with
quaint. somewhat oriental passage
ways. the least modern OF the large
cities in the former central empires
due, according 10 the CZechO-
Slovaks. to the deliberate plan OF the
Austrians to keep the city undevel-
oped. II is a city of nearly a mil
lion. including the inhabitants OF the
suburbs.