The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1921-02-03
THE cZEcHs

Recent dispatches reporting attempt
ed uprisings among the radical ele-
ment In Czechoslovakla. and state
ments that stronger and stronger
enmity toward the German inhabit-
ants IN being shown on all Sides by
the Czechs and Slovaks, center inter-
est once more on this newly created
central European republic that was
carved after the war from Germany
and Austrla-Hungary. The following
description Of the Czechs Is based on
a communication TO the National Geo
graphic society from Prof. Ales
Hrdickn.
A 1900 year-iong, life and-death
struggle with the German race which
surrounded them from the north,
west and south, with near-burial
within the Austrian empire for the
last three centuries, failed 10 destroy
or break the spirit OF the little nation
OF Czechs or Bohemlans.
They are the westernmost branch OF
the Slays, their name being derived.
according TO tradition, from that Of a
noted ancestral chief The term Boz
hemIa was applied 10 the country
probably during the Roman times and
was derived, like that OF Bavaria.
from the Boil. who for some time be-
fore the Christian era occupied or
claimed parts OF these regions.
Nature has favored old Bohemia. an
important part OF Czechoslovakln.
perhaps more than any other part OF
Europe Its soil Is so fertile and
climate so favorable that more than
half OF the country Is cultivated and
produces richly. In It's mountains al.
most every useful metal and mineral,
except salt. Is 20 be found. Il Is the
geographical center OF the European
continent, equally distant from the
Baltic, AdrIatlc snd North seas, and
though Enclosed by mountains. Is so
easily accessible, because OF the val
leys Of the Danube aud the Elbe riv-
ers, that II has served In history az
the avenue Of many armies.
Besides Bohemia. the Czechs occupy
Morayia and adjacent territory ia
Sllesia. both formerly parts OF Aus
tria-Hungary. The Slovaks, who
show merely dIalectic differences from
the Czechs, extend from MoravIa
eastward over most Of what was for
mery northern Hungary.
The Czech Is kind and with stock
Of natiye humor. lie Is musical, loves
songs, poetry, art, nature fellowship,
the other sex. He Is an Intent thinker
and restless seeker OF truth, OF learning.
but no apt schemer. lie Is ambitious
and coyetOus OF freedom In the broad-
est sense, but tendencies 70 domlneer-
Ing, oppression. power by force over
others, are foreign 10 his nature. lie
ardently searches for Coo and Is in
clined TO be deeply religious. but Is
Impatient Of dogma, as OF all other
undue restraint He may be opinion
aied, stubborn, but is happy TO accept
facts and recognize true superiority.
He Is easily hurt and does not for
get the injury; viii fight, but Is not
lastlngly revengeful or vicious He
Is not cold, calculating, thln-llpped.
nor again as inflnmmable as the Pole
or the southern slav, but Is sympa-
thetic and fun Of trust and through
this often open TO imposition.
His endurance aud bravery IN war
for a cause which he approved were
prOverbial AZ was also his hospitality
IN peace.
lie Is often highly capable IN Ian
guages, science. literary ana technical
education. and Is inventive as wen as
Industrial but not commercial mag
native. artistic, creatiFe. rather than
frigldiy practical. Inslned at times
10 melancholy broodlng, pessimlsm,
he Is yet deep M heart forever buoy.
ant, optimistic. hopeful--hopeful not
Of possessions however. but OF human
happiness, and Of the freedom ana
future golden age OF not merely his
own but all pQoDla