Part 12 (1/2)

The first speaker was Dr. Kramar who declared:

”You know that they are in vain trying to crush us. Every wrong will come back to the authors. That is our firm belief, and therefore you will find no despondency in Bohemia, but only _firm determination not only to defend to the last the integrity of our kingdom, but also to accomplish the unity of the whole Czecho-Slovak nation. We firmly believe in the ultimate victory of the right of nations to liberty and self-determination._ And we therefore welcome you in our beautiful golden city of Prague, because we know that your presence here to-day is the best proof that our faith is the faith of all nations who have hitherto been clamouring in vain for right and justice.

”Allow me to make a personal remark. We were far away from public life, confined in prison, and only very little news reached us. Various events filled us with anxiety and despondency. Bohemia seemed to be like a large, silent and dead churchyard. And all of a sudden we heard that underneath the shroud with which they tried to cover our nation there still was some life. Czech books were read more than ever, and the life of the national soul expressed itself in the performances in the National Theatre. When we heard about the storm of enthusiasm which greeted the prophecy in Smetana's opera _Libusha_, we felt suddenly relieved, and we knew that our sufferings were not in vain.

”We placed everything that we want into the prophecy of Libusha--a new life, free, not constrained by disfavour or misunderstanding. _We do not want to remain within the limits prescribed to us by Vienna_ (applause), we want to be entire masters of our national life as a whole. We do not need foreign spirit and foreign advice; our best guide is our past, the great democratic traditions of our nation. We have enough strength and perseverance not to be afraid of anything that threatens us, because _we want the full freedom for the whole nation, including the millions of our oppressed brothers beneath the Tatra Mountains_. (A stormy applause.)

”That does not depend on any circ.u.mstances outside our scope; it depends entirely upon ourselves, upon our will. _We must show that we are worthy of liberty and of the great future which we are striving for_. It must not be left to the generosity of individuals to support our peoples who under oppressive conditions are awakening national consciousness in their countrymen. _We must mobilise our whole nation_.

All of us will be required to a.s.sist in the great tasks which are awaiting us.

”I think we may confidently look into the future. The war has united us internally, and it has taught us that all party politics which for a long time past have poisoned our life, are insignificant in view of the great issues of our national future which are at stake. We have lived long enough to see our whole people united in the demand for an independent Czecho-Slovak State, although the modern times have deepened cla.s.s differences.

”We recollect our past to-day with a firm hope for a better future. The hearts of all are to-day filled with joyous confidence and expectation that we shall live to see the day when in our National Theatre we shall rejoice over the victory of liberty, justice and self-determination of nations. _Our golden Slav Prague will again become a royal city, and our Czech nation will again be free, strong and glorious_.”

After Dr. Kramar had finished, the aged Czech author Jirasek described the history of the National Theatre during the past fifty years, and concluded:

”To-day as fifty years ago our nation is united without party distinction. _We form a single front, and follow a single policy. We all demand our natural and historic rights, and strengthened by the co-operation of the Yugoslavs, we firmly believe that as we succeeded in erecting our National Theatre, so shall we also obtain our rights and be able to rejoice with a song of a full and free life_.”

When the enthusiasm which followed Jirasek's speech subsided, the great Slovak poet Hviezdoslav ”conveyed the greeting from that branch of the Czecho-Slovak nation which lives in Hungary,” and a.s.sured the a.s.sembly that after going back he would spread everywhere the news of the enthusiasm animating the Czechs so as to cheer up his sorely suffering fellow-countrymen, the Slovaks of Hungary.

Professor Kasprovicz from Lemberg, who followed, declared in the name of the Poles:

”We are united with you not only by blood affinity, but by our united will, and we can reach the goal only by co-operation and by joint efforts.

”This co-operation is perplexing to our enemies who, therefore, do all in their power to disrupt this union. Their endeavours are in vain.

_All of us believe that neither the Czech nor the Polish nation will perish_, that even a great war cannot bring about their extirpation; that besides the war there is something greater than all human efforts, that the day of justice will also come, and that the _Czech and Polish nations not only must be but already are victorious_.”

A tremendous applause ensued, and the people sang ”Jeszcie Polska niezgynela” (”Poland has not perished yet”). And when the chairman announced that the next speaker was to be the Italian Irredentist deputy, Signer Conci, another storm of applause and cries of ”Eviva!” burst out.

Signor Conci declared:

”I convey to you the expression of the heartiest greetings from all Italians who are partic.i.p.ating in this brilliant manifestation, and from all those who, like myself, follow with great sympathy everything that concerns the fate of the n.o.ble Czech nation.

”An old verse speaks about 'Socii dolorum' ('Friends in suffering'), and I must say that this consolation for the different nations of this state has been amply provided for. _But nothing helps the union and brotherhood better than the common misfortune and common persecutions_ which strengthen the character of the nation. In defence against this menace, we and you have written on our s.h.i.+eld: 'Fanger, non flector'

('I can be broken but not bent').

”When I saw with what indomitable firmness you withstood all unjust persecutions, and with what a fervent devotion and enthusiasm the whole nation supported your best and unjustly persecuted leaders, I realised that _this nation cannot die_, and that when the time comes its just cause will triumph. And I bring you our sincere wish that this may be as soon as possible. _It is a wish from one oppressed nation to another_, from a representative of an afflicted nation which has suffered and still is suffering intolerable oppression. May the roaring Bohemian lion soon be able to repose in peace and fully enjoy his own triumph.”

Dr. Tavcar, representing the Slovenes, declared:

”We Yugoslavs are deeply feeling how much the Czech culture is helping us and how great is its influence upon us. _We are the most faithful allies of our brother Czechs_, and at the same time their a.s.siduous and I dare say very gifted pupils. At a moment when our oppressors want to build a German bridge over our bodies to the Slav Adriatic, we come to you as your allies. We shall fall if you fall, but our victory is certain.”

Two other Yugoslav leaders, Dr. Srpulje, Mayor of Zagreb, for the Croats, and V. Sola, President of the Bosnian Sabor, for the Serbs, expressed the same sentiments.

After the speech of the Czech author Krejci, M. Stanek, President of the Bohemian Parliamentary Union, concluded the meeting.

Stormy demonstrations then took place in the streets of Prague, where the people loudly cheered Professor Masaryk and the Entente.

On the same day also the Socialists had a meeting in which prominent Czech, Polish and Yugoslav Socialists took part.