New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-07
UNCLE SANS NEPHEW

establish its industries and place ITSELF ON 9
firm, economic footing.
And then last and most important factor
in the feeling of obligation and admiration
toward America that pervades the new repub-
lie is the example that this country has set
them in representative government.
They have not swallowed the example hook.
line and sinker. They have considered It care
fully. incorporated into their own constitution
the good points and guarded carefully against
encountering certain defects through which we
suffer politically.
They have universal suffrage, but more
than that, they have compulsory suffrage A
fine of from 500 to 5000 kronen, and from
one to thirty days in jail, assures the people
that they have representative government.
Some 10000 prosecutions for non-voting fol-
lowed the last election, and it is felt there will
be no further of Sinking off the duty of the
franchise.
Through the system Of elections, policies
and not personalities are presented at the
polls. Through their peculiar and new system
representative in the Chamber of Deputies
may not necessarily come from the district
which elects him. When there is vacancy
from certain district the national organiza-
ton of that party which wins at the polls in
the election chooses the representative for its
constituent in that district.
The Senators, of whom there are 150 must
be over forty-ive years Of age. They are
elected for eight years, and the right of fran
chise in their election is limited to persons
Of twenty-six years and over. The Deputies.
who correspond to our Representatives need
be only twenty-six years of age. They are
elected for period of six years, and all per-
sons OF twenty-one years and over may par
ticpate in their election
The President is elected by the Chamber Of
Deputies in joint session for term of six
years. His power, however, is considerable
less than that of the American President. His
Prime Minister and Cabinet are chosen with
the consent of the Chamber of Deputies, and
a vote of censure or lack of confidence on the
part OF this body automatically dismisses these
executives from office. Thus the government
is under constant supervision
Americans will at first be amused when they
learn that Czecho-Slovaka, one Of the three
important states in the world which has no
seacoast, possesses a navy. But it does, and
1T has naval personnel Of 5000 men, The
Czecho-Solvakian navy is comprised of gun.
boats, and operates on the Danube and Elbe.
both internationalized rivers. These people
are taking no chances so far as the exercise
of their rights is concerned.
There are probably more American flags
in Czecho-Slovakia than in any other country.
outside of the United States," Mr.. Pergler
states. "There are flags that Betsy Ross
would never know. In the former great Aus
trian arsenal near Pisen, where all the Big
Berthas' were made, there hangs an American
flag which contains seven stars, and seven
stripes, which run vertically.
1.-THE Fourth of July is all but national
holiday. 1t has been celebrated each year
with carnivals games, shows and fireworks,
and some member of the government always
represents the country in these celebrations
Prague during these celebrations is bedecked
with flags and looks almost like an American
town."
Very little is known in America Of Czecho-
Slovakian industry. The country is the
seventh largest sugar producing nation in the
world. In the manufacturing line she pro-
duces everything from Pullman cars to lenses.
About ten years ago during a strike of the
workmen in the Pullman works in America the
Czechs turned out more than two hundred cars
for the concern.