Evening star., 1939-04-02
The SIav and Teut0n RiUaIrv
Struggle for European Mastery Reaches Into Antiquity

portions of the land were covered with
primeval forests. Over this territory has
ranged from time immemorial strains of
different people, partly Alpine and partly
Germanic, without any lasting settle
ments. Into these forests from about
the 5th century onward, but in parts
probably much earlier, there began to
spread from what are now Southeastern
Germany and Southwestern and South
ern Poland various closely related clans
and tribes of what later became known
as the Czecho-Slovak people.
"These tribes, extending into what are
now Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia,
were agricultural, as such became firmly
attached to the land, and eventually oc-
cupied the whole region, now known as
Czecho Slovakia, as well as parts of
what are now Saxony and even Austria.
They assimilated what remained there
of the old population
so, it can be seen, Czecho-Slovakia
is no recent creation. 1t is one of the
very Oldest political and racial units OF
Europe Under Moravia or Bohemia, two
of its three parts, it was kingdom long
before there was anything like a united
Germany, France or Great Britain, and
before the ships of the Vikings had
reached Iceland or Greenland. Its Uni
versity of Prague dates from 1348. or
nearly a century and half before the
discovery of America During parts of
the Middle Ages Bohemia was the
acknowledged torch bearer of European
culture.
Joined Hungary in 1896.
From the sixth century onward how
ever, the country passed through endless
struggles for its existence due mainly to
its more powerful German neighbors. It
was never conquered by these. But in
1926 Of its own free will, it joined a
union of Hungary and Austria for pro-
lection against the Turks. and with this
began its misfortunes. In lax moment
in 1920 it was overwhelmed by Austro-
German forces. 1t was then devastated
during the Thirty Years War, over 3O,O 600
of its foremost families were exiled be-
cause of their religious or political con-
victions and their lands were confiscated
and given to the conquerors. It was thus
almost mortally wounded, but did not
perish. During the 18th century, with
the first breezes Of liberty in Europe, it
began to awaken. During the 10th CEN
tury it devoted its energies toward the
physical, moral and intellectual develop
ment of its people. And then. step By
step, against all odds and forces, it forged
ahead toward regaining its former hber-
ties and independence.
within the new state formed after
the World War-as in every other state
were included some minority groups. OF
these minorities the largest was that of
the so-called "deutschbohmer," or Ger
-Bohemians. It amounted to ap-
proximately 100000, or little over a
fifth of the population. 1t occupied in
very irregular way lands along the
boundaries and few islands within the
country. 1t was everywhere largely ad-
ulation.
Immigrants From Germany.
This German minority was the result
of centuries of slow immigration. It
0CSd1l COpCSldAS Ill Vic 1SUll CcIlGuIy
when German miners and others were
invited to work newly discovered mines
and help organize new industries. It
was especially fostered under Austria
after 1920. None of the lands occupied
by these immigrants, who from the be-
ginning mixed with the native popula-
ton, ever belonged to any other coun-
try ho rrino tho Sn.co11od ssChoho
district. The foment among these peo-
pie which proceeded the present tragic
events was partly political. Under Aus
tria they were the privileged elements.
It was partly economical. Their regions
were largely industrialized and they suf-
fered like everybody else from the eco
nomic depression.
"The main causes, however, were ex-
ternal. These deutschbohmer were on
the whole good and peaceful citizens.
Czecho-Slovakia was their old home.
Many of their families bore Czech names.
Without incitement they could readily
have settled their differences with their
Czech neighbors and lived with them
as friendly as the two strains live side
by side in New York, Wisconsin or
Nebraska.
I'VE know that from the 9Th century
onward these lands were coveted by
the Germans. They were overcome for
brief period by Charlemagne, but
Bohemia and Moravia were never con-
quered. At the height of the Holy
Roman Empire, it is true, they were as
sociated with 1t, but they always had
their own kings and were essentially in
dependent.
"The story of the Slovaks is quite diff
ferent. Slovakia was overcome during
the 9th and 10th century by the Magyars.
Under the Hungarians they were reduced
practically to serfs."