which we should follow in taking our final steps, for the persons who were to be taken into account in this connection, and for the exact juncture at which the matter was to be completed. From the reports which he was sending from Washington I observed that we were acting in complete agreement, and the Washington recognition of September 2nd showed me that there also matters had come to a head.
It was also my concern to prepare this final phase for our army too, as I was anxious for the proclamation of independence and a provisional Government to take effect not only before the Allied public, but also at the front and in the garrison centres amongst our troops, so as to impart a solemn and truly national character to the whole proceedings. I had also thought that it might be possible to choose November 8, 1918, as a symbolic day for this purpose. I was prompted to this far-reaching initiative, partly in realization of my complete agreement with Masaryk, partly in realization of the responsibility which was then resting upon me. Masaryk was at Washington, Štefánik on his way to Siberia, but the decision on the whole undertaking could be reached only in Europe, in accordance with the situation in Paris, Prague, and Vienna. I therefore acted with great care and consideration, but at the same time in a determined manner, such as is necessary at critical moments of this kind.
And so on September 13, 1918, I sent the following telegram to Masaryk in Washington:
In consequence of negotiations carried out in Paris and London their Governments fully accept principle of complete recognition of our Government. I have made an agreement with Ministry of Foreign Affairs enabling us at once to organize our central administrative body, the Czechoslovak Government, with regular diplomatic service. Seat of Government should be Paris, and we should have same status as Belgian Government with all advantages and entire public recognition internationally.
I submit this matter to you with my personal opinion of these questions: In view of situation here it would be good to set up a ministry under your presidency, with headquarters at Paris. It would be necessary to set up, beside the presidency of the ministerial council, also a Ministry of War and of Foreign Affairs. I do not know your opinion as to distribution of portfolios. I think that it will be essential to set up these three ministries, and as regards the others we should keep to the opinion that they are to be given to political leaders from Bohemia.
We could, in addition, set up State secretariats for finance and the interior.
