The Czechoslovak Review/Volume 2/Premier Seidler's message to the Czechs

PREMIER SEIDLER’S MESSAGE TO THE CZECHS

From the Prague Venkov, May 25, 1918.

Count V. Sternberg, a member of the so-called Bohemian or rather Austrian nobility, had an interview with Premier Seidler and was given a message by the premier to the Czech people.

Count Sternberg says: “When I told Dr. Seidler that the cutting up of Bohemia into districts was contrary to the fundamental laws of the State, the premier declared that that was not so and that the measure was legal. He said further that after the speech of Count Czernin which had stirred up so greatly the Germans because it announced upon the very highest authority that the Czechs were traitors, the Germans would have quieted down, if the Czechs had made a declaration to the effect that:

(1)	They were loyal to the dynasty;
(2)	That they did not expect help from the Allies, but through internal reforms;
(3)	That they did not refuse to negotiate.

The premier said further that political parties doing nothing to refute the suspicion that they are looking for salvation to the enemies and that give out declarations like those made in Prague for the universal sentiment of their people, and refusing altogether to make any attempt at reconciliation, can expect nothing else but that their interests shall be passed over.