CZECHS' FATE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 171, 22 October 1941, Page 5

CZECHS' FATE

"THERE WILL BE NO PEACE" 5

'"For over 100 years democratic tradition has persisted in Czechoslovakia, therefore under no circumstances will there be a way of recon-* ciling the Czechs with Nazi government and methods," said Mr Turnovsky, when addressing members of the Friendship Circle at the Lyceum Club, Wellington, the other; evening. "So long as one German soldier remains on Czech soil there will be no peace in Gzecho-Slovakia," continued* the speaker. "The present situation of Czecho-Slovakia is caused through no fault of our own, and there is no guilt against us." He gave an outline of the country's history from the creation of the great Moravian State which lasted GO years. This was followed by a succession of Bohemian kings, among them "Good King Wenceslas." In the fourteenth century King Charles founded a university in Prague, the first university in Europe, and a later king, George, was the first statesman in Europe who conceived the idea of a League of Nations, but before the time was ripe for such methods. Following the 30 years" war, which involved all Europe. Czecho-Slovakia was under Austrian rule for 300 years. Ijn 1914 a great statesman arose, Thomas Masaryk. who led his nation to victoiT, and in 1918 in Philadelphia declared his country a free State. Twenty years of happy freedom, with the younger generation broughfj up under modern, democratic conditions, existed until the Munich crisis in 1938. During these years Prague became a modern city with a population of over a million. In 1938 the Czechs realised that death, destruction and great hardship seemed inevitable for them, but even after years under Nazi domination have not given up hope of future freedom, through revolt in European countries. "Life in Prague so Different" "Life in Prague is so different, to life in Wellington," said Mir Turnovsky. "We never placed the value on home life that you do here, for these people chiefly lived in large blocks of flats, very few in separate homes with gardens. In Prague the theatres, cafes and cinemas were used extensively for social contacts and entertainment and it was not until I arrived in New Zealand that I realised how life revolves around the home; and the meaning of tho phrase, 'An Englishman's home is his castle.' "We, the few lucky Czecho-Slo-vaks who have been allowed to com© into this beautiful country to start a new life, number about 200, and we are going to do our utmost to be loyal citizens in this country," heconcluded. Mrs David Herbert, president of the club, who welcomed Mr Turnovsky and other members of the Czech community in Wellington who were also guests, said that the club was proud to. entertain these people who were this country's comrades antl allies. Extracts from national authors were read by Mr Spence, and national Czech-Si ovakian music was also played.. Mrs E. M. Sample, leader of the Friendship Club, thanked the speaker for his address.