The war with the Magyars closed July 4. On that day entire Slovakia, as delimited by the peace conference, was evacuated by the Magyars. There are still difficulties with the anarchistic regime prevailing at Budapest, and Tusar had to address a firm note of protest to Bela Kuhn against the bombarding of a Slovak town by a Magyar aeroplane. But everyone hopes that watchful waiting on the long Magyar-Slovak frontier will not break out into fighting once more.
Commercial Conditions in Czechoslovakia
By JOHN A. SOKOL,
Secretary of the Czechoslovak Chamber of Commerce of America.
There are many conflicting reports regarding the present conditions in Czechoslovakia. Some of these reports are doing harm and injustice, not only to Czechoslovakia and its people, but to America as well, as America has a very promising field and future here. The writer has travelled considerably through Bohemia, met most of its leaders, and has found that the country and its people, although in a nervous state of mind from the effects of the war, are gradually working themselves out of their chaotic condition, and are adopting rational and constructive principles in all their lines. Many of these unjust and untrustworthy reports are circulated by their former enemy, and have a tendency to hold back American financiers and business men from entering this field, where, on the other hand, certain other countries, such as France, Italy, Switzerland, Holland, and even Germany are taking advantage to get into this market now, even under present difficulties and restrictions.
Germans in Bohemia and Moravia and Magyars in Slovakia who formerly controlled the Czechoslovak nation are hard losers. They are using every means not only at home, but in all foreign countries as well, to hinder the gradual establish ment of a good government in Czechoslovakia. The people know this and are determined to conquer these former enemies. They are willing to put up with all kinds of sufferings now, as they have done for 300 years. But they are very alert and eager to get control of all that rightly belongs to them, in order to be really free politically and economically.
To accomplish this, strict rules and measures are being introduced by the new Government. These are now working a hardship on many, especially on importers and exporters. However, they are for the good of the new Republic, and as conditions are adjusting themselves, it is hoped that unrestricted, improved commerce will soon follow.
The Czechoslovak Republic offers exceptionally good field for the American exporter and importer. The people in every walk of life here believe in America. They know what America has done for them, and they feel that they owe a great deal to her and are ready to reciprocate many times over. Everywhere I travelled, from the largest city to the smallest hamlet, I found the most cordial feeling of gratitude toward America and its people. In most of the public buildings and private homes you see the Stars and Stripes along with the colors of the Czechoslovak Republic, and President Wilson’s picture displayed with that of President Masaryk. Every tongue expresses the sincere hope that they may soon enjoy the same liberty, love and freedom that we have in America. All foreigners who had an opportunity to study the people here closely are satisfied that the people are able to govern themselves. Exporters and manufacturers should lose no opportunity to enter this promising field. The people here do not want to do business with their former enemies who controlled their industry before the war. This is one reason why there are many restrictions in force now. On the other hand, friendly nations, and particularly America, will receive every encouragement possible to facilitate commercial relations.
To go into the details of rules and restrictions would take up too much space. They will be abolished, when the reconstruction plans of Europe are more advanced. Some of the principal difficulties now are: Lack of Czechoslovak monetary system which has not yet been established, and the temporary use of the Austrian money, merely
