Evening star., 1944-07-23
Musoryk
Continued From Page C-10

Continued From Page C-1)
Hungarian Army at the very time
that his father, in voluntary exile,
was organizing the future Czecho-
slovak Republic and was wanted
as traitor" by the Austrian au-
thorities.
AS soon as the war was over, Jan
hurried to old Prof. Masaryk in
Prague and, much to his own sur
prise, he found himself a diplomat.
In 19l9-N he represented the
newly-created Czechoslovak state as
charge d'affaires in Washington.
At the same time, Mr.. Cranes son
and JAMS friend, Richard, was
appointed American Minister in
Prague. The sentimental link was
further enhanced by JAMS marry
ing in 1924 his former employers
daughter, Frances Crane Leatherbee.
The marriage, incidentally, did not
last, but JAMS friendship with the
Crane family has continued to the
present.
Life of the Party.
In 1922 he went to London for
couple Of years as counsellor and
returned in 1925 as minister. Since
then he has largely divided his time
between Britain, America and his
native Czechoslovakia - until Mu-
Mich, Of course. He has established
friendshipS-as numerous as they
are variegated-which 60 far be-
yond the traditional government
and diplomatic circles.
This popularity is hardly surpris-
ing when you consider his unusual
range of social qualities. He's fine
amateur cook and a first-rate pian-
iSt; = witty, eloquent, and at times
very moving speaker; an unequaled
conversationalist and q story-teller
with stock of anecdotes that are
as numerous as they are unprint-
able. A delightful host and an in
valuable guest, he's certain to make
any party a success-especially If it
Is not too large a gathering.
No one can describe a situation
or lampoon some inbecility quite so
keenly as Jan Masaryk. He is a
born actor. His face, his hands,
the whole OF his body. are brought
into play. and the picture thus ere
ated is unforgettable. He is man
who calls newspapermen, professors
cabinet ministers, fellow diplomats.
British and foreign royalties, as we'll
as host Of lovely women, by their
first names. He has a complete
disregard for all the convention
alities OF the diplomatic profession.
Loves the Arts.
When I addressed him, at one of
our earlier meetings, as "Excellency,"
he took his long legs Che stands s
feet 2 inches) off the writing desk,
looked at me reproachfully and said,
Don't be blasted fool"
There is certain aggressive
cynicism in his demeanor which re-
suits in excessive wise cracking. But
it would be difficult to find any
body endowed with a more genuine
humility Of soul, more sensitive
and cultured nature, a keener intel
lect. He Is man who loves the
arts. The burning of many of his
favorite books in Germany affected
him SO deeply that he remarked
that his life's ambition was Ito
make the world safe for Heine."
IT he had never done anything
else, his bearing during the several
weeks Of agony that finally ended
at Munich in the autumn of 1898,
and his resignation in protest
against that outrage, has been an
object lesson in good behavior.
Expressed Defiance.
And when at $50 on the fateful
Sunday, September Is, 1898, he
handed Lord Halifax the famous
note that ended with the words,
THE nation of St. Wenceslas, John
Huss and Thomas Masaryk will not
be a nation of slaves" it was not
the scholarly voice of Benes speak
ing from Prague. 1t was the emo
tional, infinitely alive Jan Masaryk
at his best. Sitting up in bed with
his long legs boxed crossways, he
had penned that note with his own
hand.
Perhaps he had made mistakes
Perhaps he was too unconventional.
Perhaps he had preferred the COM
pany OF those who were congenial
to him, rather than the groups
whose political influence under the
Chamberlain regime proved to be
supreme. a
But to say, as I heard people say
at the time, that the debacle was the
result of his wrong diplomacy, is a
complete distortion Of the truth. No
one in his position could have done
anything to prevent Munich. He
was vindicated almost two years
later when the same British Foreign
Secretary, in the same room where
he had informed Masaryk that Eng
land and France had sold out" the
Czechs, signed a treaty of alliance
with him.
Shortly after Christmas, 1898.
when he landed In New York, his
wholly spontaneous opening remark
to the army Of newshawks awaiting
him was: Nov that have lost the
country Of my father, I have come
to the country of my mother" The
services he rendered even then to
the cause Of democracy by trying to
enlist Americas sympathy for Brit
ain and France and the smaller ma
tions deserves to be put on record.
He returned to Europe In April, but
was back in America in July, 1910,
when Britain recognized the Free
Czechoslovak government. At Presi-
1dent Bene's request, Jan accepted
the post Of Foreign Minister.
Ever since he has worked tirelessly
for the Allied cause.
Jan Masaryk is not only the son
OF truly great man. He is q great
man in his own right; . man of