Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-24
PRESIDENT MAsARYK ON
CzECH0-sLOVAK IDEALS
General Elections to Name
Country's First Congress We're
Held Without Disorder.
REMAINS FRIENDLY TO RUSSIA
Former Resident Of America Now
Head of New Central Europe Re-
public Believes Lcninc Govern
mcnt Can BE Influenced.
by HERMAN ,NsTEIN.

PARAGUE, May 23.-ln an cxclu-
sive interview. Professor Massaryk.
President OF the Czccho- Slovak re-
public, for many years resident OF
New York City, outlined TO me the
situation in his country. the position
OF his government toward Soviet
Russia ana his views on some OF the
big problems confronting Europe. lie
SAID:
Our first general elections, just
held, have been extremely successful
from democratic viewpoint. y truly
representative constituent assembly
Will open next "Wednesday. The cleo
predictions that disturbances would
occur IN certain parts OF Czecho-
HaIf Population Voted.
One half of our population voted
that was our plcbiscite.
Every stranger visiting our couH-
try must notice that we are truly
happy over our freedom. | am par
ticularly proud that after the revolu-
ton we had no riots and no blood
shed whatever. 30 single human be-
ing was killed.
In the beginning there was somo
unfortunate shop-lootins but no vio-
lencc. and no lives were lost,
Asked whether Czecho- Slovakia
said
Our Communists are n tiny minor
lily. Our three leading parties arc the
Social Democrats, ASSarians and Ma
tionalists.
The Socialist party is the strong
est, though II is not IN the majority.
Sociaiis t'': are cvoiu;!onists. not rcvo.
lutionisis.
we have had our revolution; now
we must work and strive and develop
our republic along peaceful lines.
We are planning 10 send com.
mission 10 Russia 10 be composed OF
representatives of all our parties, In
government representatives. 10 study
conditions and open commercial re-
lations with the Soviets We do not
know what is actually going on in
, Russia
Intcrestcd In Russia.
we read so many conflicting re-
ports that we should like to learn
from our own representatives what
the true situation is, before reaching
decis ions concerning Russia;
II read that Lenine is willing TO
compromise with the capitalist ma
tons for buying locomotives from
first of all we must know conditions
there.
cnced towards moderation. BY keep
enG away from Russia altogether we
would only intensity her hostility.
hut this new Polish invasion OF Rus
STA Is q mystery 10 me. tNoDouS Knows
who helped or encouraged the In.
vasion. England claims she gave the
roles only uniforms.
The Polish invasion is delaying
our commission for 1t VIII probably
have 10 go 10 Russia via Reval.
workingmen everywhere naturally
sympathize with the Soviet rcpuSlic.
With Russia closed. Europe de-
ponds for raw materials upon the
United States; otherwise we would
get much raw material from Russia.
There is no power that can lead
the league OF nations. with all nations
represented. IS essential, If only as a
moral force.
".\ll Europe should be unit. 40
nation can isolate !;self OF, be, iso-
lated. Neutral Holland had all the
advantages during tho war and yet
suffers today as much as the others
from the high cost OF living.
Nor can Europc's stability be re-
stored without Russia. | hope that
the time Is near when all mankind
will become closely united. America,
who wagcd war for and with Europe.
can no longer isolate herself as 4
moral force from European affairs"