The Czechoslovak Review/Volume 4/Prague Demonstrations

Prague Demonstrations

Since the day Czechoslovakia proclaimed its independence the German element of the Republic has obstructed political, economic and social progress. Heaping insolent ridicule was but one form of daily exercises. Disparaging the Czechs and Slovaks was considered but a mild amusement.

Always, heretofore, considered a privileged class the Germans refuse to forego their prerogatives and refuse to consider themselves citizens of the Republic on an equal footing with the Czechoslovaks. It is sufficient to point to the propaganda during the Peace Conference for a separation of Western Bohemia from Czechoslovakia. More recently a syndicated article appeared in the American Central States Press which ridiculed. Czech contributions to science and contended that Teutons were the only true scientists and that Czech learning has its foundation in German studies. A prominent German physician of Karlovy Vary, who recently masqueraded in America as a patriotic Czechoslovak citizen, was responsible for this braggado.

A short while ago all Czechoslovak youths were to report for regular military training in accordance with the constitution. Germans protested, but finally, after much howling, appeared before the proper authorities. The Czechoslovak Legionaires pulled down the equestrian statue of Joseph II., in Teplice. The Germans retaliated in Cheb by demolishing a Czech school and destroying a picture of President Masaryk. The German Prague Daily Bohemia looked upon this as a revival of the Pan-German movement. In the National Assembly the German parties called the Czechoslovak Legionaires “loafers’ (uličníky).

Patience in face of repeated insults was exhausted. A mass meeting of the people was held in one of the Prague squares and a demand was voiced that Czech and Slovak minorities in German sections should be protected. The German Casino and theatres were surrounded and performances stopped. From German schools, Turnhalle, Lesehalle and Šarafie and the Casino, numerous pictures, statues and shields of the Hapsburgs and Hohenzollerns were removed. The Prague Tagblatt and Prague Bohemia were prevented from publishing for one day. Czech nationalism was fired to its highest pitch by provocative tactics of the German.

Thus far the German program was carried out as originally planned. They figured that by arousing the Czechoslovaks’ ire to committing rash acts their object, to demonstrate that the Czechoslovaks were unfit to rule, would be attained. But their calculations miscarried, for President Masaryk called a meeting of the leaders of all political parties and representatives of the press and impressed upon them to counsel their adherents to preserve order and to respect the law. This had an immediate quieting effect on the people. Common sense returned and quiet again reigns supreme.

Again it must be emphasized that Czechoslovakia’s minorities, both German or Magyar, must respect the authority of the Republic and refrain from antagonizing the Czechs and Slovaks by insults, threats and vilification. Never have either of these minority factions claimed that their rights are denied or infringed upon. Having once been privileged classes, by the grace of the Hapsburgs, and extinguished by the birth of a new government, they seek their continuance and practice at the expense of the majority of people. In a representative democratic government this is impossible.

There is no reason why these various people cannot thrive under a common government. National prosperity is knocking at their doors for they have all the facilities at hand for a succesful commercial development. Likewise, they may prosper socially and culturally. If these two disturbing elements would forget that the old order of things has passed beyond recall and work hand in hand with the Czech and Slovak people for the upbuilding of a strong government, what a wonderfully prosperous and contented State Czechoslovakia would be!