mittee had laid stress upon the fact that the National Assembly was to exercise legislative power, and to have charge of the Government until the new Constitution had come into force and a definitive Parliament been elected.
Even at the very outset the revolutionary National Assembly, in spite of all difficulties, displayed an activity and an efficiency which showed that it was the product of a judicious convention, and also that each party and organization regarded it as their duty to co-operate in the prompt settlement of the most urgent questions which would enable the country to emerge rapidly from the chaos of revolution. This spirit was admirably manifested at the first meeting on November 14th. The National Assembly was opened by Dr. Kramář with an inaugural address, in which he referred to the victorious conclusion of the struggle. He returned thanks to all who had struggled and suffered, and to the Allied nations. He warmly welcomed the Slovaks from the former territories of Hungary, and towards the Germans who had not yet decided to take their seats in common with the Czechoslovak representatives, he undertook a commitment of national equality. He declared that the bonds were now broken by which the nation had been held to Austria and the dynasty, and that Czechoslovakia was now a free democratic Republic. T. G. Masaryk was then unanimously elected as its President amid unbounded enthusiasm.
Steps were next taken to elect the President of the National Assembly, the deputy chosen being F. Tomášek, who, having taken his vow of allegiance, welcomed the Slovaks, expressed the hope that the Germans would collaborate, and defined the future activity of the Assembly. After the deputies had taken their vows and the Vice-Presidents had been elected, Vice-President Bela, on behalf of the Slovaks, declared that they desired liberty which was neither Magyar nor Slovak, but only Czechoslovak.
The Government was then elected as the result of a joint resolution of all parties. This was done by unanimous vote. Dr. Kramář, who was elected President of the Assembly, while the members of the Government were taking their vows of allegiance, emphasized the historical significance of the day when, for the first time after three hundred years, a legislative National Assembly was again meeting. He also expressed the hope that the Germans would soon realize the necessity of co-operation.
