CZECHOSLOVAK INDEPENDENCE
two formerly independent and distinct countries united together by the historical accident of a common sovereign. Norway, in 1905, desired to do what Bohemia desires to do today—namely, to terminate the dynastic union. After full consideration the powers of Europe decided to approve of the separation of the two countries.
From the historical evidence above stated I believe that Bohemia is legally an independent elective monarchy; that the illegal and tyrannical suppression of Bohemian rights by the Hapsburgs has not destroyed such rights; that Bohemia has the same legal right to terminate its dynastical relations with Austria that Norway had to terminate similar relations with Sweden; and that these rights of Bohemia should be recognized by the United States and the Entente. Above all I believe that it would be contrary to all American traditions for this country to make any treaty which would recognize as legal the destruction of Bohemian liberties by the Hapsburgs.
If, to some, Dr. Putney’s attitude may seem too strained and legalistic, let them consider what would have been the situation of the lands of the Bohemian crown if Austria-Hungary had not been dismembered and had there been no demand for Czech independence, but the Hapsburg dynasty had become extinct. It is obvious that in that case the Czech state certainly would have reverted to its original elective rights and that the
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