Verhovayak Lapja, 1940. január-június (23. évfolyam, 1-26. szám)
1940-01-25 / 4. szám
January 25, 1940. SLOVAKS of AMERICA TERN AGAINST BENES By DR. ANDREW KASSAY Verhovayale _ ‘TO BE Olt I Page t By virtue both of their numbers and their financial position the Slovaks of America have always played a great role in the affairs of the Slovak nation as a whole. It is well known that, during the last war, or rather at its close, Benes and Masaryk at Pittsburgh concluded an agreement with the Slovaks. This was the so-called “Pittsburgh Convention,” which promised extensive autonomy to the Slovak nation. Thanks to the propaganda work of Benes and Masaryk, Czecho-Slovakia was created by the Great Powers responsible for the Paris Peace Treaties concluding the war. That State, however, was made excessively large, and too many diverse racial elements were included in it. The most conspicuous movement in the new State was the struggle of the Slovaks to obtain autonomy. As everyone knows, Professor Béla Tuka, the present Slovak Premier, was cast into prison by the Czechs because of his campaign for autonomy; and Slovak autonomy was the aim for which Father Hlinka laboured to the day of his death. But the Czecho-Slovakia of Benes and Masaryk refused to fulfill the Pittsburgh agreement, and it was only when the Republic had been dismembered by the Munich Conference that any willingness to grant the Slovaks autonomy was shown. Then, when in the March of this year German troops occupied Bohemia and Ruthenia was restored to Hungary, the independent Slovak State came into being. Benes and the representatives of the old Czechoslovak political idea fled to foreign countries, where they are now busy striving to revive the conception — already dead and buried — of a Czecho-Slovak State. Benes has learned nothing from the past; he still continues to work for the establishment of an overgrown Czecho-Slovakia. His campaign was launched in the United States, where he delivered a number of lectures and did his best to win the Slovaks over to support his plans. This propaganda tour was a complete failure. It is true, indeed, that the Slovak newspapers appearing in America, Catholic and Protestant alike, sharply criticize the present Tiso régime, but they are even more antagonistic to Benes and his system. Only one small section of the Lutheran Slovak Press of America — in particular the “New Yorski Dennik” — has anything to say in favour of Benes and his schemes. The important Catholic Slovak papers, on the other hand, are on the defensive against the “Czechoslovak” idea; and no wonder either. The Catholic Slovaks of America have not forgotten that it was Benes who helped to spread Bolshevism in Czecho-Slovakia and repudiated the Pittsburgh agreement. In consequence they have lost all faith in the political conception of a Czechoslovak State. It is a striking fact that neither the Catholic nor the Protestant Slovak Press of America attacks Hungary; on the contrary, a certain advance on the line of orientation towards this country is noticeable, especially in the Catholic papers. Of particular significance is the attitude shown by the “Samostatnos”. For, faithful to its old traditions, that newspaper sees its point of view justified by the recent happenings in Slovakia, and emphatically declares that the only proper solution would be for the Slovaks to return to the Realm of St. Stephen. That Benes has lost all his personal prestige among the Slovaks of America, is best seen from the statement made by the President of the American Slovak League. The report of that statement runs as follows: “The Hungarian Telegraph Bureau reports from New York that M. Husek, President of the American Slovak League, has protested in the “New York Times” against an assertion made by the Belgrade correspondent of that newspaper to the effect that he (M. Husek) had appealed to the Slovaks to co-operate with the Czechs. In his refutation M. Husek stresses the point that the Slovaks cannot unite with the Czechs under the leadership of Benes and his henchmen, for they have not forgotten how the rights guaranteed in the Pittsburgh Convention were denied them.” The feeling against Benes was even more clearly expressed at the 22nd Annual Assembly of the American Slovak League, which opened in Cleveland on 16th Novem-TO BE 99 Regardless of the outcome of the next presidential election, historians should set down the date 1940 as the year of the Great Question Mark. Never before has the third term issue created such a tempest, and the reams of conjectures that have been written about it would fill a library until everything contemporary becomes covered with its shadow, at times even shutting out the European wars. Most readers, however, cannot share the speculation of the columnists. They (the readers) have a discern ment about such matters that enables them to read between the lines of current affairs. They can sense the motives underlying the actions of political figures and can almost always unfailingly evaluate the ultimate import of most events. Thus ber. The most important item of the programme was the President’s report: “Czecho-Slovakism” — said M. Husek — “is diametrically opposed to the Slovak national idea. We have always fought against Czecho-Slovakism and we shall never cease to fight against it. The Czechs guaranteed a number of things, but not one of their promises was redeemed. When the delegates of the Slovak League visited Prague in the last hours of the Czecho-Slovak Republic’s existence, they were cordially welcomed by M. Hodza, who again promised autonomy, although he well knew that his day was over. By then Benes had not only collected his millions, but the aeroplane was also waiting ready for him to make his escape.” Magic lantern slides were shown at this mass meeting. When pictures of the Czecho-Moravian parts of the country were projected, the majority of the audience broke out into vociferous demonstrations against the Czechs. These demonstrations reached their culmination when a picture of Benes appeared on the screen. The report read by the Secretary, M. Para Kucor, was also and indictment against the Czechs; “There is” — he said — “more honour among thieves than there was among the Czechs; for thieves do not rob the poor as the Czechs persecuted the downtrodden Slovaks.” On 17th November, the second day of the assembly, violent attacks were launched against those statesmen who had left their people in the lurch when the country was occupied by the Germans in March. “We” — said one of the speakers — “who were born here in America were taught that the captain is always the last to leave a sinking ship; the Czech leaders, on the other hand, were the first to take to their heels, abandoning their unfortunate people to their fate.” According to another speaker, Benes encouraged the people at home to resist, but only from a safe distance, from Chicago: ”To arms, Slovaks, and shoot the Germans!” The resolution passed by the Cleveland Slovak Assembly condemns Masaryk’s and Benes’s rule and protests against a reconstruction of the Czecho-Slovak Republic. The so-called “Czecho-Slovaks” — say the resolution — have no right to speak on behalf of the Slovak nation. This protest is directed primarily against Benes. The “Czecho-Slovaks” are now working only in Great Britain and France. They are particularly busy in Paris, where they own a monthly magazine in French, a weekly — also in French, — a Czech weekly, and a Czech and a Slovak news agency. Through the medium of these papers and news agencies they are making great propaganda for the resuscitation of the Czecho-Slovak Republic. Particularly interesting is the September 6th issue of the “Slovensky Chirnyk”, published by one of their news agencies, the leading article in which asserts that Slovakia has never existed and that the idea of an independent Slovakia had never occurred to the Slovaks; all they wanted was autonomy within the framework of the Czecho-Slovak State. The “Czecho-Slovaks” are again trying to spirit Slovakia away, and keep harping on autonomy, which they would be the first to deny the Slovaks in like manner as they repudiated the Pittsburgh Convention. The Czechs, as we see, are again making excessive demands, but this time it is the Slovaks themselves who protest most sharply against the idea of their forming one State with the Czechs. The majority of the Slovaks would prefer — if only for economic reasons — union with Hungary. (Danubian Review.) they can see through the Republican Party’s elaborate, painful and almost desperate attempt to make Thomas E. Dewey presidential timber and they feel certain that he will be their “Only Hope” candidate. They are amused by the coy actions of some of the aspirants, such as Gov. Arthur H. James of Pennsylvania. They feel certain that President Roosevelt wants to run again for have not his actions thus far indicated this? They think that he will if he thinks he has a good chance of winning. To these people it is only this aspect of the matter that is the cause of their perplexity—will he? They think that when the time comes, if Roosevelt decides that such an attempt would be unfeasible, he will disavow any further ambitions. Certainly this would look much better in history books than a third term race defeat, an eventuality that must haunt Roosevelt. In the light of the extraordinary historical conscious ness which is Roosevelt’s, he must surely realize that in his eight years of brilliant; liberal, and dynamic leadership he has carved for himself a niche in the annals of this country that will place him alongside such distinguished statesmen as Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln. Theodore Roosevelt and Wilson, and such a defeat would somewhat lessen his stature. Coincidentally, being the first president to hold a third term would add considerably to his laurels. So, while Roosevelt ponders whether or not he can successfully cast his die, we shall wait with bated breath, and the other candidates will be kept awake nights with a trepidation almost unbearable. Regardless of our individual sentiments, when the decision is finally made known, whether it be “Yes” or “No”, we will all suffer a terrific let-down that will require some time to restore us to normalcy. Árpád Chontos, Br. 430, Homestead, Pa.--------------O-------------Coal is valuable, not only as a fuel, but also for its by-products. Tar is one of the most important, as from tills about 1200 finished products are prepared. Dyes, perfumes, high explosives, drugs, and gas are extracted from coal by chemists.
