Vladimír Nosek

“ The Czecho-Slovak nation to-day.
The Czecho-Slovak territories, which are four times the size of Belgium, are rich and well-developed economically. Expeditions came to Bohemia and Moravia from Russia and elsewhere to become acquainted with the efficient methods of Czech agriculture. We need not dwell on the importance of Bohemian glass, sugar and beer industries, for which the Czechs are famous all over the world. The largest part of sugar and fine glass imported to England came from Bohemia. Bohemia is also rich in coal, iron, silver, copper and other metals. ”

“ In consequence of the generous British declaration, the National Council has been able to organise as a real governmental institution and to exercise all the rights and powers of a real Government, representing a fully independent State. ”

“ Through their own efforts and notwithstanding all obstacles on the part of the Austrian Government, the Czecho-Slovaks have, before the war, become an advanced and wealthy nation, possessing everything, in fact, except their actual State sovereignty. ”

“ Since the beginning of the war the Czecho-Slovak Nation has resisted the common enemy by every means in its power. The Czecho-Slovaks have constituted a considerable Army fighting on three different battle-fields and attempting in Russia and Siberia, to arrest the Germanic invasion. ”

“ It is not, of course, the dismemberment of a nation, for Austria is not a nation, but a conglomeration of nations, or, as the Czech deputy Stransky put it in the Austrian Reichsrat in June 1918, “a century old crime against the liberties of mankind, a hideous dream, a load of tyranny, a nightmare and nothing else ”

“ They are a stubborn race, always ready to face danger, although on the other hand there is also the Slay meekness and kindness in them. They are also very efficient in science and organisation, and like all Slavs the Czecho-Slovaks are extremely fond of art and especially of music. ”