Page:The heart of Europe; an address delivered by Charles Pergler in Washington, December 11, 1916, at a conference of oppressed or dependent nationalities (IA heartofeuropeadd00pergrich).pdf/32

rights of nations there is no statute of limitations. When the war broke out, of all the belligerent countries only Austria failed to convoke its parliament, such as it is. When this failure to maintain even the semblance of parliamentary life began to be the subject of international comment, the Austrian government commenced negotiations with various political parties. It was especially afraid of the Czech protest. It asked for a pro-Austrian declaration. But cajolery, promises, threats, nothing could induce the Czechs to declare even in mild terms for Austria. The Czech political parties could not be forced to condemn the anti-Austrian activities of those Czech leaders who were fortunate enough to escape from Austria and are actively engaged in the movement for Bohemian independence. Even promises of clemency for Czech political leaders sentenced to death for alleged treason to the Austrian state were of no avail. Only recently the cable brought a report that an offer of such an infamous bargain was rejected by the Czechs. The civilized world is well aware of the fact that in spite of the fierce opposition of the Austrian government and Austrian Germans to the development of the Czech people, this nationality has reached a plane surpassing that of any other nation in Austria, and that in literature and art it is second to no nation of its numerical strength. A nation that gave to the world men like Hus and Komensky, a nation that in modern times has produced a host of writers of the highest rank, many philosophers, statesmen, and gifted journalists, such a nation is certainly capable of governing itself. Economically and