Page:Edvard Beneš – Bohemia's case for independence.pdf/141

This page has been validated.
APPENDIX
127

leader of the Czech deputies, is, in the first place, responsible for the refusal to take part in a manifestation of loyalty contemplated by the Czech deputies at the beginning of the war; and finally to the insignificant participation of the Czech population in the first two war loans as well as in the war collection of metal and the collections for the Red Cross. Actual cases, such as the organisation and the establishing of Czech volunteer legions in enemy countries, the dishonourable conduct of some Czech prisoners of war in enemy countries, who forgot their duty, the fact that in a certain portion of the army men surrendered repeatedly without being forced to do so, the misconduct of certain Czech regiments behind the lines and at the front, which was dangerous to the State and subversive of military discipline, which had the most disastrous effect on our operations, and which brought about the success of the enemy forces and had a demoralising effect on ours—the responsibility for all these falls on the shoulders of Kramář and Rašín as the result of years of agitation. According to what has been said, the activity of the accused Kramář and Rašín tended not only to bring about a forcible change in the territorial condition of the Empire, to increase internal dangers and foment revolts (Section 58c, 59b of Criminal Law), but their undermining activities caused serious injury to the power of