that they are waging legitimate warfare.” The Teuton may commit the grossest breaches of international law, commit murder, plunder the country and still, in his own estimation, be regarded as a “superman.” It is hypocrisy and treason for a Slav to seek liberty and freedom; he must submit to Teutonic and Hungarian mastery, though intellectually and morally he is their superior.
In the recent Austrian drive, on the Piave, the Hungarian troops captured, and executed as traitors, Czechoslovak soldiers. In the eyes of civilization and humanity these men were troops of a belligerent nation, and if taken prisoners in a battle they were to receive treatment accorded to prisoners of war, because before going into battle they complied wtih all the prerequisites of international law. Treaties, international conventions and international laws govern and bind civilized peoples only; the Teutons are exempt from their operation, when they stand in the way of attaining the Hun objective. The “superman” may violate these laws with impunity at will and still regard himself with that “I am holier than thou” spirit. To the German mind nothing matters unless it works out to the advantage of the Huns.
Again the displeasure of German-Austro-Hungarian combine is voiced. “These disloyal (Czech and Slovak) elements, guilty of perjury, will, notwithstanding the Entente’s recognition, be regarded and treated as traitors.” What could be expected? The Czechoslovaks aid in the dismemberment of Austria-Hungary, hence no matter how humanity may regard them, if they oppose the will and purpose of Teutons and the Hungarians they are traitors in the eyes of the Central Powers.
It is stated that the present Austrian premier, Baron Hussarek, evolved a plan for a federalization of Austria and a confederate state for Austria-Hungary after a conference with the leading statesmen of the monarchy, including the Slavs. Which Slav statesmen did he consult? Nobody knows.
Why is not the basis for the federalization made public? Nobody knows. The Czechoslovaks will not be bribed by Teutonic-Tartar empty phrases. Nothing but liberty and freedom for the Czechoslovaks and their lands at the hands of the Entente Powers will satisfy them. Promise; will not swerve them from their avowed purpose—the democracy of the world. The triumph of the Allies must be assuerd, it must be complete.
Hus and Žižka fought for freedom of “things spiritual and temporal”. Their prayers are to the God of battles and the God of civilization that the arms of their descendants might triumph and their kinsmen realize the ambitions of five centuries.
The Czechs and Slovaks of the present day are imbued with the Hussite principle? and they go forth to battle with the same spirit as that which prompted the medieval warriors of Bohemia. They will not disappoint the world. In common with the Bohemian “Falcons” (Sokols) their motto is: “Break through, leap over, but never crawl under.” Přelom, přeskoč, ale nepodlez.) To the bitter end they will battle, until the dawn of a better day, democracy of the world, shines brightly in the clearing.
At Home.
By Janko Sršeň.
Janko Sršen is the pen name of Ján Janček, secretary of the Slovak League. Before the war Mr. Janček was one of the most prominent bankers of Slovakland and did a great deal in a practical way to help the fight of his people against Magyar exploitation. He established savings banks and loan associations and financed industrial concerns as part of the Slovak political fight. When Austria-Hungary declared mobilization, he had to report as a reserve officer, but went over with his entire command to the Russian side at the first opportunity. In Russia he was active as a journalist and was sent to the United States a year ago with messages from the Slovaks in Russia.
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The stories given below were written by him in Russia in the early days of the war and give a key to the sentiments of the Slovak peasants, when the war started.
Dusk was falling.
On the street corners posters were put up. Men and women crowded around them and stared at them.
“Michael, will my Andrew have to go too?” asked an old woman of 67 years, a widow. A man about 30 years old, tall and sturdy, who was returning from the fields with a scythe over his shoulders, replied with a question:
“In what year was he born?”
“On the fete day of Saints Peter and Paul he was 37 years old.”
