IN PRAGUE LAST WEEK

New Zealand Listener, Volume 9, Issue 228, 5 November 1943, Page 9

IN PRAGUE LAST WEEK

The Spirit of CUsechoslovakia (Contributed)

25th anniversary of the independence of the Czechoslovak Republic. Flowers and flags would be found lying on the steps to the monument of John Huss in Prague, placed there in the darkness of the night. The tomb of the Unknown Soldier would be adorned with wreaths. Hundreds would travel to the grave of T. G. Masaryk, the last flowers of autumn in their hands. Old legionaires would take their uniforms from their hiding-places and stroke them lovingly with their hands. Thousands would clench their fists towards the Castle of Prague, where the oppressors would be raging. In the streets the people would walk about more erect than usual. They would look each other in the eyes; greet one another, though without a word. Whether at home in oppression, or free on free soil somewhere in the world, all Czechoslovaks celebrate this day. All rally in spirit round their President, Dr. Edward Benes, and hope that it will be the Jast October 28 in servitude. It is a unique occurrence in the history of the peoples that one whole nation, whether soldier, peasant, worker or merchant, should become the pupil of a philosopher. It was T. G. Masaryk who taught that humanism is not weakness. It was-he who told his people: "There is no doubt that from an ethical point of view it is permissible both for the individual, as for bigger social units, to defend them‘selves against force. The programme of humanism. does -not permit of any force, but it allows-nay, it demands categorically — self defence against force. Humanism is neither political nor ethical quietism. Humanism does not teach that one should, in the face of force, place his hands idly in his lap. On the contrary, it demands @) CTOBER 28, 1943, was the

standing. up against force and struggling against it with all possible means. To defend oneself does not mean any more than to stand up for one’s defence, if necessary, with a sword in one’s hand." The people of the Czechoslovak Republic adopted those words, acted accordingly, and were steady to sacrifice. * * * HE humiliation and the sorrow which was inflicted on the Czechoslovak people has not broken their spirit. Their firm resistance, their sacrifices, are not in vain. Wars and revolutions have to the Czechoslovak people always been only the means towards an end. They took up arms only for self-defence. In 1918, when the joy and exultation of liberation had passed, the Czechoslovak people settled down to work. Out of the ruins of an autocratic monarchy there grew, under T. G. Masaryk and Dr. Edward Benes, a splendid example of a democratic state. President and people watched over the liberty of the individual and of the Press, over the freedom of religion and of occupation. Czechoslovakia’s school system was a model for other European states. The products of its factories were esteemed all over the world. Every peasant tilled his own soil; the worker had his social rights; the army did not belong to any caste-it was the possession of the people and supported by the love of the whole nation. And so to-day the dead of Lidice, all the martyrs for the freedom and independence of the Czechoslovak nation, strengthen the belief which was expressed over 300 years ago by that great Czech exile, Comenius: "TI, too, believe before God that after the storms of hatred brought on our heads by our sins have passed, the conduct of thine own affairs shall return to thee, O Czech people!"