The Czechoslovak Review/Volume 1/Bohemians in Canada

BOHEMIANS IN CANADA

 

If war comes between the United States and the Central Powers, Bohemians in the Republic will be very much in the same position in which Bohemians in the Dominion found themselves in 1914. Those that were not naturalized were considered alien enemies, being subjects of the Austrian Emperor. At that time the Canadian government had no time or inclination to pay attention to the impassioned protests of the Czechs that their hearts were on the side of the Allies. Bohemians in Canada are few, some four thousand all told, scattered from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, mostly laborers and farmers, lacking leaders whose voice would be heard in Ottawa. Many were interned, others had to report themselves regularly to the police, and all suffered much from the suspicion with which Canadians looked upon all foreigners coming from Austria. When the government of the Dominion found time to study the problem of the interned aliens, it followed the example of the imperial government and declared the Czechs or Bohemians, as well as the Slovaks, a friendly race. The Bohemian National Alliance of America, to which at first the Canadian Czechs attached themselves, was recognized in Ottawa as the spokesman of this people, and two representatives of this organization visited Canada in 1915 to procure the release of their interned countrymen and to inform the Canadian people of the sentiments of Bohemians. But the most powerful agent in convincing Canada of the friendly feelings of this “Austrian” race was the action of the Canadian residents of Czech birth by volunteering for army service. In Michel, B. C, all the physically fit members of the local Bohemian National Alliance joined the army and are now in England. In Portage la Prairie, Man., seventy Bohemian volunteers are training with the 223rd Batallion, and they expect to grow into a full company before they are sent across the ocean. In every province of the Dominion there were Bohemian volunteers, and the Bohemian National Alliance of Canada, an organization independent of a similar body in the United States, is centering its efforts on the enlistment of the remaining eligible members of this race.

The lesson of Canada for Bohemians in the United States and above all for those who are not naturalized, is evident. If war comes, it will not do to talk about the hate of Czechs for Austrian tyranny. When the President calls for volunteers, those of the Czech race, citizens or aliens, must respond promptly.