tion crisis of 1908, the sway of absolutism in Bohemia and Croatia, convinced me that we were passing through a time of great political crisis, which would lead either smoothly or by cataclysms to fundamental changes.
In 1908 I had two further aims to see Russia and to secure a living at home by obtaining a teaching post. I also thought of qualifying for a university professorship, spending some time in special academic work. Then, after adequate political preparation and training,—I reckoned that I should have to devote at least another ten years to self-education and political preparation,—I would make an attempt to enter politics. Accordingly, between 1908 and 1914, I studied political economy, sociology, and philosophy, preparing for my professorship and university duties. In the autumn of 1908 Professor Masaryk, who had followed the journalistic work I had done abroad, asked me to call upon him. He suggested that I should qualify for a university post in philosophy and sociology, promised me support, and gave me a number of hints for further work.
About the same time Dr. Fořt,[1] who was then a member of the Viennese Cabinet, also invited me to see him. He praised the work I had done abroad and invited me to join the Young Czech Party and to become one of its political workers. He pointed out the advantages which this would involve, the possibility of a comfortable existence and a career. I politely declined his offer. About the same time Dr. Šmeral,[2] the editor of Právo Lidu,[3] of which I had been a correspondent, and was still a contributor, asked me to pay him a visit. He was a leading figure in the party, and he indicated to me that if I would join the party and work for it he would look after my interests. Not wishing then to enter the domain of practical politics, I did not make any decision. Moreover, even at that time I maintained a certain reserve towards Dr. Šmeral, of whose views, which
- ↑ Dr. Joseph Fořt (b. 1850), a Czech politician and a prominent leader of the National Party of Liberal Thought. For a time was a Cabinet minister in the Austrian Parliament. After the war he took no part in political life.
- ↑ Dr. B. Šmeral (b. 1880), one of the leaders of the Czech Social Democrats, who, during the war, tended to pursue a policy of opportunism. After the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic his activities in the Social Democratic Party were in the direction of Communism.
- ↑ Právo Lidu (The People’s Rights), the central press organ of the Czechoslovak Social Democratic Party. Founded 1891 and has appeared daily since 1900.
