Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1921-02-03
THE CZECHs

Recent dispatches reporting attempt
ed uprisings among the radical ele-
ment in CzechOslOvakia, and state
ments that stronger and stronger
enmity toward the German inhabft-
ants is being shown on oil 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 1,5OO-year-long, 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,s 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 Il
noted ancestral chief. The term Bo-
hernia 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. i
Nature has favored old Bohemia, an
important part of Czechoslovakia,.
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 Its mountains al
most every useful metal and mineral,
except salt, is to be found. 1t IL the
geographical center Of the European
continent, equally distant from the
Baltic. Adriatic and North seas, and
though inclosed by. mountains, Ia. 80
easily accessible, because OF tile; wax
leys Of the Danube ara 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 sCzechs, extend from Moravia
eastward over most Of what was for
merly northern Hungary.
E The Czech is kind and with stock
of native humor. HeHs 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 shis nature. He
ardently searches for God and is in
clined to be deeply religious, but liz
impatient Of dogma, % Of Ill other
undue, restraint. He may be opinion
ated, stubborn. but is happy to accept
facts and. recognize true superiority.
He IL easily hurt and does not for.
get the injury; WILL nght but 10 not
,lastingly revengeful' or vicious. He.
II not cold, calculating, thin-lipped,
nor again as inhammable q the Pols
or the southern Slav, but 10 sympa-
thetic. and full Of trust and, through
this often open to imposition. a y
His endurance and bravery In ewars
for i cause which he approved ,Waise
proverbial. as war also his hospitality
In peace. sss +
He Is often highly capable In Ian
guages science, literary and technical
education, and ID inventive N well ~ y