Evening star., 1938-09-30
Brief Review Of
Bohemia's Military Past.

To the Editor OF The Star:
BOHEMIA (now Czechoslovakia) has
been one of Europes "cockpits" for
centuries. (Thirty Years War, Seven
Years War, some Of Napoleon's cam
paigns, War Of 1867 And now there
is blood on the moon" once more
Having been deprived OF his national
ity Gn 1879 the Czech was classed as an
Austrian, and as such his more recent
military performance must be judged.
The Austrians would always beat the
Italians. But Austria's wars for the last
200 years, against the French and the
PrussianS, were mostly losing wars. Be-
fore these reverses set in the country had
Its golden age OF military glory. Under
the command Of foreigner. the famous
Prince Eugene Of Savoy, they defeated
the French time and again. He cleared
the Turks out Of Hungary and thereby
broke the backbone of the Ottoman
power 0690-1720).
Going back to the Thirty Years War
1618-1648), we find q Czech as captain
general of the imperial forces. He was
Wallenstein, Duke OF Friedland, a very
great leader Bareheaded in the storm
and stress Of battle, the "Friedlaender"
rode through the ranks encouraging the
bold. terrifying the timid with the glare
of his glittering green eyes"
But the Czechs', racially considered,
martial repute dates with the Hussite
wars G419-1436). Their exploits rated
them at that particular time as the fore
most foot soldiers of Europe. Famous
were the fortified camps which they con-
structed with their wagon trains. Their
leaders proved themselves to be able
generals-the one-eyed Tiska, . veteran
OF the Turkish wars, and the two Prokops.
Having adopted the reformed faith Of
Wycklif and Hus, the country was ex-
communicated by Holy Church, and Ger
man princes were commissioned to carry
defeated in six pitched battles and Ger
many itself was invaded.
Later they made their peace with state
and church. But partly on their own
terms, fifty-hfty. Germany then, Of
course, was not fighting as united ma
ton. The Germans in those days did
their scrapping on the installment plan.
While one half went on the warpath,
why, the rest took a good nap. Then
Prussia took hold. Now all hands stay
awake-they have to.
1t was really laughable. At Tans 043D
the German knights skedaddled OF the
field without striking blow. The only
man who tried to stand his ground was
the Popes legate, Cardinal Julian Of the
noble Roman house Of Caesarini. He fell
later at Darna while chaperoning q
Polish Hungarian crusade.
In our time, so 1t appears, q small
country, no matter how valiant and how
just It's cause, cannot survive on its own.
International guarantees are just scraps
Of paper" FRED VETTER.
Sees Significance
In Certain Dates.
To the Editor Of The Star:
THERE are two facts concerning the
recent actions Of Hitler which may
or may not have significance in writing
the history of this period. These hap
penings might be attributed to coinci-
dence, while again they might cast light
upon the prime object OF the man who Is
disturbing the status quo of Europe to-
day.
In Nurnberg, Germany, on September
IL, Hitler spoke to his armies and the
radio listeners Of all countries on earth.
Nurnberg Is the city containing the most
interesting collection Of instruments Of
torture in the world, including the in
famous "Jungfrau" or iron maiden"
September IL Is the anniversary of the
battle Of Marathon, the day when
small army of Greeks drove 4 wedge
through the ranks of 4 large army of
Persians. The Persians were defeated
despite their greater numbers, the de-
feat being due to the formation known
as the Greek phalanx, operating down
from the hilly slopes in the manner Of =
flying wedge. Perhaps he looked forward
to similar victory In driving a wedge
through Czechoslovakia toward Russia.
October l, the day Hitler chose in
agreement with Mussolini, the other
Fascist leader, Is the day Of action, ID
the anniversary Of the Abortion of Rus.