(b) Courageous Speeches Delivered by Czech Deputies in the Reichsrat
During the subsequent session of the Reichsrat, various Czech deputies, representing all the Czech parties, made declarations, some of which we will quote in order to show the remarkable unanimity of the Czechs in their opposition to Austria and in their demand for independence. It was chiefly this unanimity of all Czech parties and classes in Bohemia and the absolute harmony between their action and the Czecho-Slovak action abroad which formed the real strength of the movement.
Dr. Stránský, leader of the Moravian People’s Party, delivered a long speech in the Reichsrat on June 12, 1917, from which we quote the following significant passages:
“The Germans say that germanisation is not carried out except where it is in the interests of the state. We do not think that the interests of the state should go first. If the interests of a state are not identical with the liberties and interests of a nation, then such a state has for that nation no right to exist.
“If Clam-Martinic thinks that we will enter the Reichsrat which the Polish deputies would not attend in their present strength, then he is greatly mistaken. We heartily wish the Poles to achieve their national independence, but should we be denied an equal right, then it would mean an end to this Reichsrat. We want to enjoy the same happiness as the rest, we want to be free from all oppression, from all foreign domination. We want to decide for ourselves the form of our political existence. We want to choose our own laws, we want to govern ourselves. We claim the restitution of our political independence and of the supreme historic right of the Czech nation in the lands of the Bohemian Crown. The time is ripe also when the Austrian fortresses of St. Peter and St. Paul will open, and when their prisoners will change places with their persecutors. The state and dynasty have lately taken away the rights and liberties of our nation and trampled them underfoot.”
On June 15, the National Socialist deputy Stříbrný, openly demanded the creation of a Czecho-Slovak Republic:
“The German annexationist plans are doomed. The Czechs greet with joy the new era of equality and fraternity, an era in which a democratic republic is considered as the best form of government. The Czechs demand the creation of a Bohemia in which they will possess their own independent government. Too long have they been oppressed by Austria, and now they are determined to achieve their national liberty.”
On June 26, Dr. Soukup, the leader of the Czecho-Slav Social Democratic Party, made an equally remarkable statement:
“As a Social Democrat I say that we, the Czecho-Slovak nation, have also a right to a place in the sun, and we want to be seen. Do you consider that a nation numbering over ten million and boasting of a highly developed civilisation can continue to breathe under such oppressive conditions, seeing what an important role is being played by four million Bulgars, two million Greeks, two million Danes and other small nations? We welcome the resurrection of the great and united Polish State, we witness the great Yugoslav nation shaping its boundaries along the Adriatic, and we also see Ukrainia arising. At such moments we want to live as well, and we will live!”