The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1938-09-24


came into the office Of
Czechoslovakia.
Eduard Benes, the foreign min
lister, was a very plain-looking,
modest little man with an engage
ing smile, fortnight manner and
q perfect command Of the Eng
lish language.
Speaking In that language, he
waxed eloquent over the progress
OF Czechoslovakia, her relative
prosperity, her true democracy,
the friendly relations she enjoyed
with her neighbors. He particu~
larry mentioned Russia and the
fact that Czechoslovakia had
learned to get along with Russia
at a time when the rest Of Eu-
rope refused to recognize her
existence.
Foreign Minister Benes, ct that
time, had o right to be proud Of
his Czechoslovakia In q Europe
sickened by economic chaos,
Czechoslovakia stood out as
sane and prosperous state. Ger
many was In the throes Of disas-
trous currency initiation. France
was existing largely from German
reparations payments. Poland was
in turmoil, Austria on the verge Of
bankruptcy.
In this maelstrom only
Cxechoslovakia stood forth indie.
pendent, healthy, and q going
concern.
This week, still proud Of his
country, still proud Of Czech en-
terprise and efficiency, Eduard
Benes, as president Of Czechoslo-
vakia, carried on his shoulders the
final responsibility for deciding
whether his country should sur
render oil that he had striven
for, or fight.
with the exception Of Adolf
Hitler, no other man In the
world held such great power
for general peace or war.
Benes' Background
The man who held this power
Is the son Of q poor peasant fam
lily, the youngest Of ten children.
Born 81 years ago, he worked his
way through school and first at
tanned national fame as q soccer
player at the University Of Prague.
IL was ut the University that
he met the man who was 10 be
his greatest inspiration, ana
whom he was 70 follow through.
out life, Ut last succeed as the
president Of Cxechoslovaleia.
Benes studied philosophy under
Professor Masaryk to teach as O
professor Of sociology. It was from
Masaryk that Benes first imbibed
his ideas on Czech independence
from Austria Hungary, and when
the World War came these two
formed q secret national society
10 foster an independent state.
Their activities attracted sus-
picion, and they were forced 10
flee TO Switzerland, where they
continued even more effectively 70
work for restoration Of ancient
Bohemia.
Both were under sentence Of
death II they fell into Austrian
or German hands. But they con.
tinued their operations In London.
Paris, and Petrograd. Benes act.
ing as secretary for his teacher.
Professor Masaryk. and becoming
an expert In manufacturing the
fake passports on which they
Travelled.
II was In Washington. how
ever, that the CEechoslovak Re-
public finally was born. Masaryk
came here with Benes In 1917.
received encouragement from
Woodrow Wilson, and then af-
ter . series OF conferences with
Czech aHa Slovak immigrants
In Pittsburgh, Chicago and other
cities, finally issued proclama.
ton OF independence ON be-
half Of the new republic.
This was the beginning Of the
country acknowledged 10 be the
most worthwhile experiment In
democracy spawned by the World
Wharf.-The country which Hitler
now seeks to swallow.
Champion Of Peace
As foreign minister OF Czecho-
slovakia. Benes came to play q
powerful and enlightened part In
the councils Of Europe. He was
one Of the leaders Of the League
OF Nations, was hailed as the con-
sistent champion Of the little ma
ton against the bigger.
Benes Is serious minded little
man. He doesn't smoke or drink.
He is more studious than social
minded. He Is an absolute realist,
never has underestimate the
key position which his country has
occupied In Europe's future. Not