Page:The Bohemian Review, vol2, 1918.djvu/177

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THE BOHEMIAN REVIEW
157

would only tolerate vassals or slaves on this planet, but no friends. To attain his purpose, the consort of the Teutonic “Gott” resorted to atrocities unnumbered, unceasing and often unmentionable.

The governmental combination of Germans and Magyars imposed its will, though clouded in smoke screens styled treaties, on unfortunate Roumania and misguided Russia. In both cases the predominating feature of the peace terms is domination; domination of peoples, lands, commerce and militarism. Ostensibly portions of the conquered lands were parcelled among the Central Powers’ allies, but in reality the recipients weer already a part of the wonderful dream. World domination, world slavery with the Teuton “superman” acting as Simon Legree, was the ambitious, fantastic, unbelievable, and unattainable dream of the Germans.

What is the German view of the present military situation? Disregarding the many misleading and purposely false reports so energetically distributed by the official press bureau, we are brought face to face with the expressions of opinion by the newspapers of that country. They no longer regard the Central Powers unconquerable, and in the words of the military critic of the “Berliner Tageblatt” acknowledge that “the solution of the riddle (Allied strength) lies in the fact that the Entente States’ will to annihilation enabled them, after unparalleled exertions, to gather to gether a powerful numerical superiority in all arms.” A German critic admits the numerical superiority of the Allied armies, the German people will soon be convinced of it. Both will soon enough admit that the force and morale of the Entente armies are superior to those of the Central Powers.

Germany is without friends. The realization of this fact is being driven home more forcibly every day. Is it any wonder? The civilized world is purging itself of a loathsome infection, “Kultur”. The German press is beginning to realize the isolation of the Central Powers. In the words of the “Vorwarts”:

“Why has Germany no friends? The natural inclination to support the weak side, for she is the weakest side in this great war, has not made itself felt. Why? The answer fills a column, but it may be boiled down to a few words. She has always been bragging and still brags about her strength. She judged and judges everythnig and everybody in terms of force. So it is conceded in this jeremiad that Germany is in danger, and that she has, by reason of her false policy, no friends.”

“Just and true liberty, equal and impartial liberty in matters spiritual and temporal, is a thing that all men are clearly entitled to, by the eternal and immutable laws of God and nature.” This declaration of fundamental truths is just as true today as the day it was uttered by Samuel Adams. For the preservation of these principles the world offers its most precious and sacred possession, manhood, as a sacrifice that the insane cravings of foul minds shall not rule the earth.

The heroism of the original Entente Powers averted the greatest disaster of civilized times. They stopped the mad onrush of the Hun hordes; they snatched from the grip of the beast its prey. Since that day many other peoples, within and without the sphere of Teutonic influence, have joined hands with the modern crusaders until now but few nations remain outside of the sphere of operations. The most notable, dependable and financially strong ally of the Entente is the United States. Through our efforts, aided by the English, French, Italian, Czechoslovak, and possibly the Russian armies, this war will be determined in favor of humanity annd civilization.

Heretofore the Allies have made noble and heroic sacrifices which they will continue to make until the object of this deadly grapple, democracy of the world, is assured.

A people, hereto practically unknown, make the world gasp with astonishment by their valiant conduct on the field of battle and by their actions at home. The Czechoslovaks by their course have received approbation and recognition from Italy, France and Great Britain, and now are regarded as an independent nation. The Albany (N. Y.) Journal is led to observe that the “‘Czecho-Slovaks’ look like something that may have a punch.” These troops have saved Russia from German domination and absorption and Bolshevists’ fanaticism. The Bolshevists feel their force and again quote the Albany (N. Y.) Journal, “The Czecho-Slovaks, backed by the Allies, are ‘Czecking the Bolshevikis.”

The Austro-Hungarian autocracy froths and gives vent to its feelings, because, "it is the acme of hypocrisy when England gives these notorious traitors a testimonial