Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-11
National Socialism
OF Modified Form Is
S|ovak Chiefs Aim
Government to Interfere
In Industry to Correct,
Not Direct, Says Tiso

In Industry to Correct,
Not Direct, Says Tiso
BY LOTHROP STODDARD.
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia, Nov. II
(N.A.N.A)-The Rev. Joseph Tiso.
newly elected President Of the Slovak
republic-he was chosen by unani-
nous vote of Parliament a fortnight
ago-yesterday granted your cor
respondent the first interview that
he has given to any foreign corre-
spondent.
The interview took place under
conditions typical of this little coun-
try's hasty start in life. Since his Of
fetal residence is not yet ready. Presi-
dent Tso's temporary ONCE is In an
apartment house on the second floor.
Two stolid Slovak sentries at the
entrance alone marked 1t from other
buildings in the block.
Slovakia is mountainous land in
habited by a pious peasantry. Its
one city, Bradshaw, is only an hours
quick run from Vienna by motor car.
The national capital Is most I'M
handily situated. On the other side
of the Danube lies the German
Reich, while a few miles eastward
lies the Hungarian border. Brati-
slava is thus wedged narrowly be-
tween two other nations. Still, it is
the only city there is, so there Is no
second choice.
Reception Informal.
My reception at the presidential
apartment was most informal. A
small boy opened the house door.
I climbed two flights Of stone stairs,
rang a bell and was promptly ushered
into Father Tiso's suite.
President Tiso was equally in
formal, but by no means unimpres-
sive. He is a big man-with big
head, broad face, wide shoulders,
massive body and legs like tree
trunks. He is typical peasant.
Even in black clerical garb, he is
visibly rooted in the soil.
The million persons of Slovak
origin in the United States natu-
rally came to mind. so my first
question to the President was what
message he had for them. The an
swer came quickly in a deep, rich
voice:
Tell my fellow Slovaks in the
United States that all goes we'll
here, that we have peace again now
that the Polish war is over, that
order prevails and that our new
state will work out its national evo-
luton by its own inner strength. I
beg the Slovaks of America not to
believe the many rumors I know
to be current there about our sit
uation. They simply are not true"
You mean, Mr.. President" I
asked. "the reports that Slovakia
is merely puppet state Of the
Reich?"
President Tiso smiled calmly.
How long have you been in this
country?" he asked.
About six hours" I admitted
rather ruefully.
"All right" he shot back quickly,
"stay here week and travel through
Slovakia. Then you will learn the
answer yourself"
That seemed to settle that, so
tried new tack. How do Slovakia s
aims differ from those of the former
Czecho- Slovakia. OF which Slovakia
formed a part?"
Aim to Perfect Nationality.
"Our aim," began the President
deliberately, lis perfecting Slovak
nationality. Czecho-Slovakia was
founded on the fiction of a Czecho-
Slovak nation without the hyphen-
that precious hyphen which we were
promised from the first as an equal
member of dual nation. But there
are deep cultural differences between
us and the Czechs. We have our own
history, language, art, music and
folksongs. For centuries we defended
this cultural heritage. And on those
deep-laid foundations we propose to
build our own national life
What sort of life?" I countered
"Let us take a practical angle. Will
your economic development spell in
dividualistic business, peasant equal
ity or national socialism,"
Again the President replied slow
ly: 1T is true that today we are
mainly land of peasants. But the
rapid increase in population makes
the development of industry an ur-
gent necessity. However, we intend
that industry shall serve the good
of the whole nation, not merely
its own good. So you may say that
our economic aim is special type
of national socialism based on
Christian principles and practices
We know that capital must be al
lowed to earn a fair return. But
we intend that the worker shall
have fair livelihood with security
against unemployment and unmer-
tied poverty. The government will
interfere in industry to correct, but
not to direct"
Cultural Liberty Assured.
"Is it not true" asked, that you
have some national minorities, espe-
cially Hungarians and Germans?
How will you handle them?"
I'VE shall assure them cultural
liberty" said the President. 'They
will have the right to their own
language, education and parlia-
mentary representation in proper
ton to their voting strength"
What about the Slovak major
ity?" I queried. How does it stand
politically"
There is only one Slovak party
in Parliament" President Tiso an
swered. "the National party, until
recently headed by our revered ma
tional leader, the late Father Hlinka.
In the recent elections, the Slovaks
were unanimous and the next elec-
tons will be five years hence. There
is nothing in the constitution to
prevent the formation of new
parties. But there aren't anv others