CZECHOSLOVAK INDEPENDENCE
question: “Why not Bohemian independence; Bohemian control of her own destinies, and Bohemia as a distinct nationality among the nations of Europe?”
It is worth noting that, with the exception of the legislature of the state of Texas, which invited a Czech spokesman to address a joint session of the Senate and the House in May, 1917, and was so addressed by him, the Foreign Committee of the United States House of Representatives was the only parliamentary body in the world which heard, during the war, an exposition of the cause of oppressed nationalities, Czechoslovaks among them. Of course, this was possible only as a result of the American system which permits, and frequently invites, expressions of opinion by interested parties, or exponents of principles and causes; certainly a method which can do no harm and often probably results in much benefit, and at least gives the public a hearing before legislation is definitely formulated and adopted.
While registering the appearance of Czech spokesmen before parliamentary bodies during the war, it may not be amiss to remark parenthetically that following the Armistice the Czechoslovak commissioner in the United States addressed the legislatures of Nebraska and Massa-
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