The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-02-09
THE CZECHS

Recent dispatches reporting attempt-
ed uprisings among the radical ele-
ment in Czechoslovakia, and state
ments that a 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 1,5Oo-year-lsng. 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 to destroy
or break the spirit Of the little nation
Of Czechs o. Bohemians.
They are the westernmost branch Of
the Slavs, their name being derived.
according to tradition, from that OF a
noted ancestral chief. The term Bo-
hen1ia 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 q these regions.
| Nature has favored old Bohemia, an
important part Of Czechoslovakia,
perhaps moro than any other part Of
Europe. Its soil Ii so fertile and
climate 20 favorable that more thar
half Of the country is cultivated and
produces richly. In its mountains al
most every useful metal and mineral
except salt, 10 to be found. 1t Is the
geographical center Of the European
continent. equally distant from thu
Baltic. Adriatie .Ad North seas. ant
though inciosed BY mountains, is g
easily accessible. because Of the val
leys Of the Danube and the Elbe riv
ers, that II has served in history a
the avenue Of many armies.
Besides Bohemia. the Czechs occup,
Moravia and adjacent territory L
Silesia, both fsrmerly parts Of Aus
tria- Hunglry. The Slovaks. VIII
show merely dialectic differences fror
the CsechS extend from Moravi
eastward over most Of what was fol
: merly northern Hungary.
The Czech 10 kind and with a stoc
Of native humor. He is musical, love
, songs, poetry, art. nature, fellowship
the other sex. He Is an intent thinke
and restless seeker Of truth, Of learning
! but no apt schemer. He is ambition
: and covetous Of freedom in the broat
est sense. but tendencies to dominee
5 ing. oppression. power by force owe
4 others. are foreign to his nature. n
: ardently searches fer Goo and is il
: clined to be deeply religious, but
a impatient Of dogma. as of all oth'
l undue restraint. He may be opinion
: ated. stubborn. but is happy to accel
+ facts and recognize true superiorit
e He is easily hurt and does not 70
D get the injury; will fight. but is NJ
h lastingly revengeful or vicious.
il is not cold. calculating. thin-lippe
y nor again MS inflammable as the Pc
or the southern Slav. but is symp
, thetic and full of trust and thrOu:
e this often open to imposition.
S His endurance and bravery in WI
d for a cause which he approved we
t proverblal. as was also his hospital
l. In peace.
IS He is often highly capable in la
n guages. science. literary and technic
education. and is inventive as we'll
e Industrial, but not commercial; lima
.. NATIVE. artistic. creative, rather tn,
t. frigidly practical. Inclined at tim
to melancholy. brOoding. pessimisl
ID he IL yet deep at heart forever buo
s. ant. optimistic. hopeful-hopeful q
Is Of possessions. however. but Of hum'
m happiness. and Of the freedom al
e. future golden age N not merely /
u own. but all people