The Ordway new era., 1921-02-04
THE CZECHS

Iktttll IlslbutNlItS LlllS
ed uprisings among the radical ele-
ment in Czechoslovakia, and state
mentS that stronger and stronger
enmity toward the German inhabit-
ants is 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 Austria Hungary. The following
description of the Czechs Is based on
a communication to the National Geo
graphic society from Prof. Ales
Hrdicka.
A ,5OO-year-long. life-and-death
struggle with the German race which
surrounded them from the north,
west and south, with a near-burial
within the Austrian empire for the
last three centuries, failed to destroy
or break the spirit of the little nation
of Czechs or Bohemians.
They are the westernmost branch of
the Slavs, their name being derived,
according to tradition, from that of
noted ancestral chief. The term Bo-
hemia was applied to 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 Czechoslovakia.
perhaps more than any other part of
Europe. Its soil Is so fertile and
.1fr to Go, ho than
half of the country is cultivated and
produces richly. In its mountains al
most every useful metal and mineral,
except salt, is to be found. It is the
geographical center of the European
continent, equally distant from the
Baltic, Adriatic and North seas, and
though inclosed by mountains, Is so
easily accessible, because of the val
leys of the Danube and the Elbe riv-
ers, that 1t has served In history as
the avenue of many armies.
Besides Bohemia, the CZechS occupy
Moravia and adjacent territory in
Silesia, 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
merly northern Hungary.
The Czech is kind and with stock
of native humor. He 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. He is ambitious
and cOvetous of freedom in the broad
est sense, but tendencies to domineer
ing, oppression. power by force over
others, are foreign to his nature. He
ardently searches for God and is in
clined to be deeply religious, but is
impatient of dogma, as of all other
undue restraint. He may be opinion
ated, stubborn. but is happy to accept
facts and recognize true superiority.
He is easily hurt and does not for
get the injury; will fight, but is not
lastingly revengeful or vicious. He
is not cold, calculating, thin-lipped,
nor again as inflammable as the Pole
or the southern Slav, but is sympa-
thetic and full of trust and through
this often open to imposition.
His endurance and bravery in war
for a cause which he approved were
proverbial, as was also his hospitality
In peace.
!, He is often highly capable in lam
guages, science. literary and technical
education, and is inventive as well as
Industrial, but not commercial; imag-
NATIVE. artistic, creative, rather than
frigidly practical. Inclined ,,at times
to melancholy, brooding, pessimism,
he - yet deep at heart forever buoy
ant, optimistic, hopeful hopeful not
Of possessions. however. but Of humnn
happiness. and OF, the freedom and
future golden age Of not merely his
own, but all peQplb. I,'-,a y